My ancestors were very poor and lived a hard life in rural Missouri (where it is still difficult to eek out a living at times). I have been fortunate in acquiring parts of several estates. There isn't any money in these estates but there are books and more books.
They may have attended school in one room school houses and many didn't have any higher education but it's hard to imagine how they acquired such extensive libraries. My book shelf behind me, as we speak, has volume after volume from the early 1800s forward. There are text books, history books, classics before they were classics. I have the "History of the United States" (and there had only been five Presidents). I have so much respect for them and I hope I at least do right by them. I am afraid I am pale in comparison to them.
My ancestors were poor and proud and had rich lives in ways I can only think I might understand. They were deeply religious which is very difficult to understand. However, I do see how that faith was probably necessary to overcome the dire circumstances they faced.
I know people look for hidden money in old books. I am positive I will never find any. However, some of what I find tucked away in the pages are much more valuable to me. A book mark with scribbles of family genealogy. A letter. An 18xxs Montgomery Ward advertisement. A Well's Fargo policy manual on how the horses will be treated.
Among the old documents and letters are words about still-born, first-born, and children that would never see three. I have letters to home during the civil war. It is sad and haunting. It is hard to imagine I would have had the grit to persevere.
I love my collection. My inheritance may not be valuable in a monetary sense but to me it makes me rich.
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