Suo Daming is a 16th-generation Beijinger, a descendent of a family that has lived in the city since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).

He has finally found an ideal place to store a treasured collection of items handed down by his ancestors over the past 360 years.

That place is the Capital Museum, expected to open a new building displaying collections from Beijing residents on October 1.

Suo's donation includes everyday articles from 100 years ago, as well as ration coupons used to buy oil, food and other goods during the planned economy period from the 1950s to the late 1970s.He also handed over evidence of the old layout of Beijing that has disappeared in recent years with all the new construction.

One of the most eye-catching pieces is an old icebox made of colored glaze. Suo Yibo, Daming's 85-year-old grandfather, said it was used when he was a boy.

"An icebox kept food cool. I remember Beijing had several ice storage centers then and special workers would send blocks of ice to different households everyday. The ice my family used came from a storage place by the Shichahai Lake," he recalled.

Suo Daming said, "If I did not keep these items properly, I would be an unworthy heir to my ancestors. My grandfather, my father and I all think the museum is the perfect place to hold these treasures."

Wang Chuncheng, a Capital Museum official in charge of collecting historical relics from the public, said the museum has collected more than 22,000 items during the past four years for the new building.

Wang said most of the collections from ordinary people in Beijing date from between 1840 and 1950.

Wang said the articles relate to many areas, including government, economy, military, culture and religion.

"These articles can tell us about the lives and work of people from more than one century ago, as well as how the city looked in the past.

"For instance, a 92-year-old woman surnamed Feng gave items she used when she was young, such as silver hairpins, embroidered shoes and a hand warmer decorated with patterns of Chinese plum flowers. These can provide people an image of a young woman from a good family in the past, just like a lady described in the classic novel A Dream of the Red Mansions," said Wang.

"Behind each of the collections is an interesting story about a person and a family, and a story of art or industry," he added.

Wang said the museum is still hoping to add to its collection. Interested parties may call (10) 6403-1357.

(China Daily February 21, 2005)