Unearthed Family Keepsake: Library Tracks Down Wedding Photo from 1953 Via Social Media
Discovered: 1953 Family Picture Unearthed in the Library Archives
In today's digital age, overflowing with wedding photos, this nostalgic moment might have gone unnoticed. However, a library in the heartland of Michigan has stumbled upon a seemingly lost-in-time wedding photo hidden between the pages of a donated book.
This captivating snapshot, dated back to the mid-twentieth century, depicts a wedding couple and two additional individuals who appear to be friends or witnesses. The photo's only identifying mark is a note on the reverse: "Frank and Josephine Ruggirello - Nana-Nono."
Wishing to bring the precious memento back to its rightful family, the Sterling Heights Public Library embarked on a search via a Facebook post. After all, who better to seek help from than the masses of social media?
Social Media Sleuth Work
Harkening back to a bygone era, Sarah Ruggirello reminisces about receiving a social media tag, "An old childhood friend with whom I hadn’t spoken in years tagged me in this post, and that’s how I read the post from the Sterling Heights Public Library,” she recounted on WXYZ-TV. "She recognized my last name in it and said, ‘Hey, are these family members of yours?’"
Upon the discovery, the wedding photo became an invaluable find for Sarah as she and her father had never laid eyes on it before. Frank and Josephine Ruggirello exchanged vows on September 26, 1953, and their union endured for an astounding 67 years until Frank's passing in 2020. Josephine tragically passed away two years prior.
The man depicted alongside the couple in the photo commented on the library's post, revealing that his father had a habit of using photos as bookmarks and that he was the one who donated the treasured book to the library. The individuals in the photo are none other than the grandparents of the man labeled "Nana and Nono."
Family Reunites with Long-Lost Photograph
Eager to return the found family treasure, Sarah Ruggirello has since claimed the cherished photo. For her, the image serves as a thoughtful reminder of her grandparents' heartwarming love story, one she now desires to frame and proudly display in her home.
- Michigan
- Family History
- Photography
- Social Media
- Found Object
Fascinating Fact:
In this heartwarming tale of a lost connection reclaimed, it was the combination of social media and the curiosity of a library volunteer that made it possible for the Ruggirello family to rediscover this precious piece of their history.
- The Sterling Heights Public Library in Michigan, recognizing the historical significance of a long-lost wedding photo, sought assistance from the masses of social media, highlighting the crucial role of community and employment policies in facilitating this amazing reunion.
- Sarah Ruggirello, after being tagged by an old friend on a Facebook post from the Sterling Heights Public Library, was able to claim the cherished photograph of her grandparents, showcasing how home-and-garden items like books can unexpectedly preserve a slice of life to be appreciated in a contemporary lifestyle.
