I have one even worse. My 3 sisters and I were raised by our grandparents in Corpus Christi. Growing up we were not allowed near the picture boxes. I only remember a couple of times that "Granny" brought them out and looked at them. During hurricane Celia in 1970 a lot were lost that got wet. She was desperate to make sure they were preserved as much as possible. Being the oldest I left married and left home first. I didn't really interested in the family history until it was too late. My 2 youngest sisters took complete control of the pictures and other belongings. One was appointed executer for my grandfather since he died last. The youngest took most of the pictures when they were still alive and put them in magnetic albums and never returned them. Neither of my sisters has any interest in genealogy or knows who the people are in the pictures or cares. I have asked to be able to copy them before it is too late. The youngest won't even bring them out for me to look at! because she doesn't want to share. The other one brought out some pictures once and I spent $200.00 at a photo copy machine while there and her looking over my shoulder the whole time. The problem there is that some of the pictures she has were written on by the other grandfather who seemed to be really good at doing that. We didn't grow up knowing any of my mother's family. Didn't find my mother until 91. Then there are pictures that have names on them of my dad's father's side that. My paternal grandfather was adopted and then when he was married with children, the family was reunited again with biological family. Since the internet research I have made contact with several distant cousins that I know could identify alot of the people, but she won't let me have them. States it is her duty to hang onto them. (For What I don't know).I have explained my reason for wanting them. With technology now I could copy them and return the originals. I am afraid she is going to l! ose them or something happen. The youngest sister the same thing. They all still live in Corpus Christi and I live near Houston and unable to travel there as often as I would like to. Have been married 29 years and living in the same place 22 years. They each have bounced around and have not had stable lives and jobs for themselves. The other sister is working for my side trying to convince them to give them up. The only thing I can figure is that it is jealousy and they have something I want.All I can do is hope and pray that one day, before it is too late that they will share. When I have obtained pic's from distant cousins, I have made copies and shared them and explained the connections. Just had to tell my story. DeborahMagnolia TX P.S. I have been to Wise County doing research on paternal mother's side. In a message dated 10/7/2004 9:50:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time, LaDarlaK@aol.com writes: >In a message dated 10/6/2004 11:49:56 PM Central Standard Time, >rownan@earthlink.net writes:>AND we don't have any idea who they are,>AND NO ONE ELSE KNOWS who they are  because>GRANDMOTHER elects not to tell us since we are just now asking.  Just >now showing an interest. >Hi Nancy,>Does she have any problem remembering and just won't admit it?  I just can't >stand the thought that she is that hateful!  I sure do sympathize with you >guys, and have no ideas on how to solve it...>Thanks for writing.>>La Darla>>