INTERESTING: The fascinating subject of memorial/mourning items made from human hair
see:
How many of YOU have family heirlooms made out of hair?
Answers
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I do! Here is my hair wreath.
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Is that item already uploaded to Memories?
do you know whose hair it was made from?
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Dennis J Yancey, 2 unmarried sisters of my great great grandfather made this in the late 1800s. I have been told most of the hair came from their relatives, and I know quite a bit about the range of family at that time. One of the ladies had a “gift album” (the concept later morphed into autograph books), so I can presume any non family who donated hair are listed somewhere in that album.
There is a special page in the album rimmed with black ribbon. He wrote a 3 page love poem about undying love. While he recorded only his initials, I found only 1 man in that tiny town’s 1860 census who had those initials and was her age (both around 21). He died of typhoid in Virginia in 1862 or 63, serving with the Union Army. I don’t have my computer on and I’m going by memory at the moment. I’m sure the other sister also lost her intended, but his identity remains unknown. Both sisters never married and stayed busy making all kinds of things. I have inherited many things they made, including the hair wreath.
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This is the sister whose gift album I inherited: Nancy J McClure (M189-67Q). I've uploaded photos of her and her sister's wreath.
Edit: By the way, Dennis J Yancey, I'm sure you have seen me reference a business ledger I inherited (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/824354?cid=mem_copy). I have come to the conclusion that it was owned by the father of Nancy J Mcclure, since I discovered her father owned a store.
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