Michigan Library Finds Photo That Unlocks Family History
A volunteer at a Michigan public library was sorting through donated books when they discovered an old photo tucked inside one. Fortunately, the back of the photo was labeled: “Frank and Josephine Ruggirello, Nana-Nono.” The library posted the image and inscription on social media, hoping to return it to the family. Thanks to the internet, the Ruggirellos' love story lives on.
An Unexpected Find Inside a Library Book
The library, trying to get the photo back to the family, posted the photo and the written note on the back to their social media page. Thanks to the power of the internet, the love story of the Ruggirellos lives on.
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A friend of Frank and Josephine's asked the family member if she was related to the two in the photo, since her last name was also Ruggirello. Turns out, she is their granddaughter.
Social Media Helps Solve the Mystery
According to local media, Sarah Ruggirello said, 'One of my childhood friends who I haven't spoken to in years tagged me in this post, and so I read the post from the Sterling Heights Public Library. And she recognized my last name in it and said 'Hey, are these some family members of yours?''
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Sarah was able to confirm that the photo was taken at her grandparents' wedding way back on September 26 of 1953... an astounding 72 years ago. According to their granddaughter, the couple had been married for 67 years. Sarah's grandfather Frank passed in 2020, and his bride Josephine died a few years later in 2023.
Since the loss of Frank and Josephine, this unexpected gem that was found by the Sterling Heights Public Library has become a family treasure.
A Treasured Memory Reclaimed
Sarah also told reporters, 'My dad and I have never seen this exact photo before. We didn't know this exact photo existed. I think now I'm going to frame it and display it somewhere in my house just because this was such a cool story and such a cool thing that happened.'