I began by taking a quick look at each box. I pulled a lot of duplicate items that ended up being a box of "trash" but I let her decide whether she kept those items, sent them off to family, or disposed of them altogether.
I then started scanning pictures and got one box done. Holidays were coming and I packed it all up and put it aside until after the holidays. After Christmas was packed up and put away, I went to get everything out but I had no clue what I did with the scanner. It wasn't in the box and I didn't put it in either spot that seemed logical to me. Months later I discovered that I had put it under my bed. I don't put anything under my bed. I only found it because I was looking for the other sneaker that I kicked under the bed.
About the time I found the scanner, I went from volunteering at the office to being hired. Silly me thought I would have more time because I would go less frequently and work longer. Nope. Some office staff travel frequently and I am scheduled to cover for them. I didn't mind but it meant this project was put aside.
A whole year went by with it not being touched. Then COVID-19 happened. I'll be honest, I thought we would be shut down for a couple of weeks, but I fully expected to be back to work by mid to late April. Now I'll be surprised if I'm back to work by the end of the year.
I brought all the boxes back to the den and spent weeks scanning photos and documents. I also created a tree for her on Ancestry. Everything is organized by family in the boxes and it is all back in her home. She has thumb drives with over 2,000 images and a tree with over 2,500 family members.
I am impressed with the research her grandmother did, the people she kept in touch with, corresponded with, and shared information with to gain all of the information she had and shared.
You know what the biggest surprise is? We are related!!! She and I have been friends for 15 years but one notebook the name of Daniel Rector connecting our two lines.