While replying to another thread, I thought of this and maybe I could get opinions.
A few years ago, I came across a bag. I had noticed it sitting there for days, and finally decided to look inside. I discovered photocopies of a girl's journal (Jennifer), lots of cards like the ones you leave with flowers at a funeral, some letters to her from her sister and friends, a newspaper article about her suicide, and a photo of her in her coffin.
The journal is full of poetry, some of it quite good, and her thoughts.
Through research I found her mother is homeless, and travels the northwest and most likely was the one to leave the bag there. She became a ward of the state and lived in foster homes and troubled youth centers when she was 5. Her father who abused her and her sister, remarried and lives in Colorado with new daughters. I didn't contact him. Her mother's parents also live in Colorado and weren't interested. Her penpal back then (this was 1988) was moving when I called her, and had never known what had happened to her. Her sister is also homeless, and I couldn't find her. A long time family friend I was able to track down had moved about a month before, no forwarding address.
After tracking down her grave site, and using RAOGK (Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness), which I belong to, I got someone to send me a photo of her gravestone.
So, what do I do? Should I just keep the stuff in a folder like I have been doing? Go downtown and ask the homeless people if they know her mom? I am friends with some, so that wouldn't be a problem. But if her mom did get rid of it before, maybe she doesn't want it? Or maybe it was stolen from her? Should I publish it and give any profits to a teen suicide program? Make a website and post it online? Would that be right or should it be kept private? Whose property is it since she's dead? Should I contact her father (or maybe his current wife and let her know what a bastard he was)? Maybe it would make him feel guilty for what he caused. Some of her poetry is about him, asking him why.
Discuss!
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