The Tradition of Private Family Auctions
Greetings from our Amish community! As we embrace the beauty of the Spring season, we extend our warmest wishes. May God's blessings fill your heart with joy and peace.
In light of the recent passing of a member of the Gingerich family, we would like to share some insights into the tradition of private family auctions among Amish families. These auctions honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away and distribute their belongings among their descendants.
Private family auctions differ from public estate auctions, which are open to anyone wanting to bid on the items. Public estate auctions are usually held by professional auctioneers and advertised in newspapers and public announcements. They can attract hundreds and sometimes thousands of people from Amish and non-Amish communities interested in buying Amish-made goods, such as quilts, furniture, tools, and farm equipment.
On the other hand, private family auctions are only attended by the deceased person's relatives, usually their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. There are no hard and fast rules about organizing these auctions, but most families follow some common practices.
One of these practices is to hold the private auction in conjunction with a public auction, usually the day before or within three days before the public auction. Sometimes, the private auction is held the night before the public auction. This way, the family can sort out the items they want to keep for themselves and those they wish to sell to the public.
The deceased person's children decide which items to put in the private auction and which to put in the public auction. They usually choose items with sentimental value or a personal attachment, such as guns, jewelry, books, or family heirlooms. The items not selected for the private auction are sold at the public auction.
Auctioneering for a private auction is usually conducted by someone in attendance. Often, some boys and younger men can be proficient at auctioneering simply because they picked it up from attending many auctions. The bidding is done friendly and respectfully, without any competition or resentment.
In certain instances, families may opt for a complete liquidation within the family rather than conducting a public auction. This approach allows other family members, particularly grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to participate in the auction. When an estate is liquidated within the family, the children of the deceased are given the first opportunity to bid on items. If they choose not to bid on certain items, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren can make offers.
According to the family's agreement, the money raised from the private auction is divided among the deceased's children. Sometimes, the funds may also be shared with the grandchildren, mainly if only a few children exist. The money is usually used to cover the funeral expenses or to support the deceased person's family.
Private family auctions are a way of honoring the legacy of a loved one and keeping their memory alive. They are also a way of strengthening the bonds among the family members and passing on the values and traditions of the Amish culture.
Besides making beautiful baskets for our AmishBaskets.com website, our hardworking Amish families have been busy with several other activities this week.
The Mast Family: On Thursday, the Mast family dedicated half of their day to helping clean up a barn fire that occurred in a nearby community. Two boys were using a gasoline-powered chopper to chop straw for bedding in the loft of a barn filled with hay and straw. Unfortunately, some of the straw chaff fell onto the chopper's muffler and ignited a fire. The boys attempted to extinguish the fire by banging on it with their hats, but their efforts were futile, and the embers spread over a large area, making it impossible to control the blaze. As a result, the barn was unfortunately lost in the fire.
The Yoder Family: The Yoder family had an enjoyable and productive time on Saturday. They had nearly a hundred spruce trees that they cut down last year when they put a new fence on part of their property. Saturday was when they burned them. The trees were lying next to a large ditch, so they started a controlled fire and rolled them into the ditch and onto the fire. They also took advantage of the occasion to have a hotdog roast with mashed potatoes, gravy, and a delicious vegetable salad. Fortunately, the family had the help of several cousins who came to help roll the trees and enjoy the food.
The Gingerich Family: This week, the Gingerich family prepares for a public and a private auction. As they sort through items filled with memories, they're reminded of the recent passing of a beloved family member. This loss, while still fresh, has brought the family closer together, uniting them in a common purpose as they honor their loved one's legacy. The upcoming auctions are not just about belongings; they're about cherishing the stories and values that those belongings represent. Amidst the busyness, a sense of respect and remembrance underscores this time-honored tradition.
