Latest News & Updates

As the warmth of April unfolds, the eagerly awaited May blooms symbolize renewed hope and meaningful connections.

Our curated collection of treasured family heirlooms has flourished, providing descendants with a profound opportunity to reconnect with their ancestral roots and intricately weave a legacy that endures through generations.

We serve as an instrument in the journey shaped by the threads of the past. Our website, a portal to time travel, captures the essence of visitors, enabling a more authentic embrace of the unseen.

Visitors often discover profound connections while examining heirlooms, such as recognizing a fingerprint on a letter or identifying an address on a postcard from their own past. This experience provides them with not only a tangible link to the past but also a powerful emotional connection to individuals they never knew.

Some find emotional resonance through handwritten letters bearing addresses from their local area, while others realize they have uncovered their ancestors' heirlooms, thereby transforming their family history from a mere branch into a thriving tree.

A simple, user-friendly contact form is now available at the bottom of the page, making it easy to send questions or requests. We’re happy to have you in our community and consider you part of our growing family.

*I Am Bound To Them*

I am bound to them, though I cannot look into their eyes or hear their voices. I honor their history. I cherish their lives. I will tell their story. I will remember them for I am the result of the very love, struggle, sacrifice, and journey of thousands.

– Unknown

We've witnessed remarkable growth on our website, expanding from a modest starting point to nearly 40 pages in just the past two weeks.

The Heirlooms Directory continues its expansion, now boasting an impressive inventory of almost nine hundred original heirlooms, each meticulously organized and easily accessible by surname.

The true essence of reuniting family heirlooms is most profoundly felt and appreciated in that very moment of connection, a testament to the enduring power of family history and shared heritage.

The Heirlooms Database has been updated, and heirlooms now have their own alphabetical surname page. If you discover an heirloom of interest, are searching for one, or wish to return an heirloom, please complete the form on the respective heirloom page.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

For several decades, we have acquired thousands of unique and cherished heirlooms and now extend opportunities for others to join our mission as part of our growing community. We are committed to regularly updating our website with these treasures, ensuring an enriching experience for all.

A simple, user-friendly contact form is now available at the bottom of each page, making it easy to send any questions or requests.

If you missed the ancestors who were featured in April, you may view them at the April Ancestors Calendar to discover heirlooms from that month.

Our May Ancestors feature a variety of people and subjects.

We shared some hints this week about our May calendar:

- The Troy Trust Company in New York cashed a check for $14,336.76/100. Who endorsed the check and received the funds? (Hint: 1925)

- A prisoner in South Carolina received a postcard. It may have been due to a protest. (Hint: 1961 Friendship Nine)

- A 34-year-old Michigan woman died at age 34 from catarrhal consumption. (Hint: Date 1908)

- A photograph of a well-dressed couple. Their connection to light and people evokes serenity and warmth. (Hint: Clair ******* & Art. last name)

- Who received a Department of Education, State of Illinois Public School Teachers Certificate #6809, on May 25, 1938?

- What was happening at the Munroe Shipyards, Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1955? A photograph will reveal the information.

The answers are now available, start your journey with our Ancestors May Calendar!

The historians behind the Is This Your Ancestor (ITYA) website are passionate about reuniting descendants with their ancestors’ cherished heirlooms.

We’re a warm and welcoming community, here to help those searching for family heirlooms or seeking to return one, and to connect as many people as possible with those who value preserving a tangible link to their past.

The site is a friendly space for genealogy and history lovers, centered around family stories and offering guidance for newcomers. We believe every family’s story deserves to be told with respect, honesty, and heart, helping people discover, honor, and celebrate their heritage while leaving a lasting legacy

A simple, user-friendly contact form is now available at the bottom of each page, making it easy to send questions or requests.

* Lessons in Life *

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

- Dr Seuss

Our official social media platform BlueSky is

The platform is very simple, functioning like the former Twitter-style website. We have found that using BlueSky offers more options and is very easy to navigate.

Direct ITYA link:

Is This Your Ancestor - BlueSky

- Special Note -

Our website is maintained by senior historians who operate at a pace consistent with the site's vintage theme. We prioritize a respectful approach, enjoying the experience, and staying true to ITYA's core mission and values.

Mother's Day is May 10th, and Russell Stover Chocolates is offering a 20% discount, making the gift even sweeter. The best quote we could share about a mother and son is from a wonderful movie.

 “My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.'” – Forrest  (Forrest Gump Movie)

GET 20% OFF when you sign up for their emails.

(site sponsor)