I can relate very much to the foregoing postings. How important these treasures are.
In my case it is letters and other documents.
A British Royal Artillery soldier was killed by a landmine shortly after landing at Agnone, Sicily. His daughter had been born just before he left England for the Mediterranean so of course she never knew her father. She was able to send me copies of letters he wrote home, photos, service documents - in some cases originals for me to scan.
With this we were able to build up a picture of what was happening over 60 years ago. It also means that in May 2005 I will be visiting the area where he died and the War Cemetery at Syracusa where he is buried and taking a headstone photo for Barbara as a thank you for her help in my research. He is not forgotten.
Colin.