Some people are known to hoard objects obsessively. Attachment to an object is most often more emotional than monetary. That's why mountains of family possessions left behind by dead relatives may present a challenge to family members left to deal with "the mess".
Sometimes the easiest solution is to sell off the valuables and send the rest to the dump. But a wealth of info is often mistaken for trash.
Pack rat behavior by our ancestors can reveal a treasure trove of data for generations to come. Clues to the culture of a period are contained in the smallest and most insignificant of objects. And when tracing a family tree or conducting research, these small clues help to piece together a larger frame of reference for the period.
Material objects found in the collections of historic homes shed light on the cultural context of different periods in history. Observe how these institutions chose to organize personal objects and use a similar methodolgy when preserving your own family treasures.
For a compelling tale of how insignificant objects take on incredible significance check out this NPR broadcast: House on Loon Lake (This American Life, first broadcast 2001)
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