Never clean aggressively — you might erase historical evidence.
Step 2: Search Online Using Smart Keywords
Use your observations to build a search query.
Instead of typing “weird old thing,” try:
“Vintage brass hand tool with serrated edge”
“1940s glass perfume bottle with pink powder”
“wooden box with clasp marked ‘Simplicity’”
Best Tools for Identification:
✅Google Lens
Snap a photo → get visual search results instantly
✅r/whatisthisthing (Reddit)
Huge community of experts who love puzzles — post your photo
✅Etsy or eBay
Search similar items — often listed with names, dates, and uses
✅Museum Collections & Library Archives
Institutions like the Smithsonian or local historical societies have online databases
Bonus: Reverse image search — upload your photo to Google Images.
Step 3: Ask Family Members While You Still Can
This is the most powerful step of all.
Talk to relatives while they’re still around to remember.
Ask:
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