Search for History
Every family has a unique background and a story worth telling. I get to share a most marvelous tale of the Ned Jarret and Schiffer families whose lives have intersected in a most wonderful way with our own.
Ned Jarrett (1896-1951) was a violin maker and repairman from East Point, Georgia, who had a shop from which he sold violins that were made in Germany in the Stradivarius style. He did all the work for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He had three daughters and one son, and the remaining family has been searching for instruments sold or made by Mr. Jarrett.
Our neighbor, Elaine, had one of the German made violins. Since her husband has passed, Elaine wanted to sell it since she nor anyone in her family are musicians. We said we’d put it on marketplace.
His great nephew, Corey Schiffer, has been searching for such an instrument as have the rest of the Jarrett clan. Corey’s daughter ‘just happened’ to see our marketplace listing of the Jarrett violin. If you’ve ever looked through the marketplace site, you know this was more than a happenstance!
We texted back and forth. Sadly, Corey and his daughter came to get the violin while I was at exercise class so I missed the fun. Ronald said he was like a kid at Christmas. With great joy and excitement, Corey expressed what this instrument meant to his family. Still in its case, with original labels, with original bows was more than he dreamed. The unique inlay on the end was an added bonus. Bless his heart! He paid Miss Elaine’s asking price but said it was absolutely priceless to his family. The family is thrilled.
I’m doing a photo dump because they are neat pictures, but also, I would like to encourage those who read this to consider this unique heritage.
The picture of Ned is a duplicate of the life size one in an Atlanta museum.
Corey’s mom, Judy Jarrett Schiffer who is Ned’s niece. 
Corey’s sister, mom, and brother.
This shows a family grouping with Ned the third from the left, and Corey’s mom is the little girl on the right.
This is a picture of Corey’s granddaddy on the left. Ned is the middle boy.
I’m so thrilled to be a witness to this amazing tale.
Of course, it leads to an object lesson.
What unique story has remained hidden or neglected in your family?
Many are ignoring the treasure trove of old pictures shoved in some closet. Many stories of trials and triumphs of our ancestors need to be shared with our descendants. The history of strengths and weaknesses of family members through the years can give guidance to our young ones. Survival strategies of some long forgotten great-grandmother can encourage her heirs to carry on through times of hardship or how to be wise in times of plenty.
The Bible speaks many times to parents and grandparents to tell of the past in their teaching. In the tough times of my own life, I have claimed the verse, ‘Consider the rock from which you were mined.’ Knowing the stories of my ancestors who bravely endured and conquered life on the wild, West Texas Panhandle has challenged me many times to put on my big girl panties and keep on keeping on. Doing the right thing. Taking another step forward. Facing life with me protected, guided, and loved by the best Father ever.
Psalm 145:4-7 NKJV ‘One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts.’
All through Scripture, the writers admonished the people to share the miracles and interventions of God on their behalf. Joel 1:3 ‘Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.’
For what reason? So we can praise God for His wonderful love and care for us.
Good plan.
Blessings
Kara Beth
