I'm a professional violinist.
My violin is a bit bushed-up and raggedy looking. This is because my great-great grandfather won it at cards in 1830, and it has been passed down the generations ever since.
If this was a story I'd go on to say that it turned out to be a priceless Strad. I wish.
Well, it's not priceless--far from it, but it has a lovely mellow tone that agrees with my sensibilities.
(It would be even better if my great aunt hadn't dropped it on the floor when she was six years old)
No idea where it came from before my relative won it though.
(TheWonderfulWombat It came to me in a dream., Mon 11 May 2009, 22:11, 2 replies)

did you miss a great or two?
my maths isn't great but from what my parents (genealogists in their spare time) tell me, the average for a generation is 25 years; 1830 was just shy of 180 years ago ... which is approx 7 gens back. did you just not want to say great-great-great-great-great-grandfather? or is my maths just wayyyy off? :)

like the story though. makes me want to have something to hand down when i eventually have a family of my own, something hopefully people will be regaling strangers with in 180 years' time :)
(zenmeban thinks the weather could be better, Tue 12 May 2009, 6:36, closed)

TWW could of course just be very old
or in fact have parents, grandparents and great great grandparents who waited a long time to have kids. Hmm.
(Super Oaf Petit filous?, Tue 12 May 2009, 12:45, closed)