It had been three years since Harlan Holmvig’s wife of 54 years passed away. In September, he found a beautifully crested gold frame in his rural Crosby home that he knew would be perfect to display a photo from their wedding day.

Holmvig said Molly, his wife, had purchased it at a garage sale, for what he guesses was 25 cents, the price tag sticker still intact on the back.

After removing the black velvet backing, Holmvig said out onto the floor fell five $20 bills and three photos.

Before noticing the money, amounting to $100, Holmvig saw the face of a smiling toddler; blue-eyed and head full of blonde curls. The photos depicted the girl, her name Alison Marie, inscribed on the back with each passing year.

“I saw that little girl and I knew that these meant something to someone, and I want to find them,” said the 81-year-old Holmvig.

Holmvig began his search, contacting the photography studio that first took the pictures in Grand Forks, N.D. Unable to provide much information on who the girl in the picture was or where her family could be contacted, Holmvig persisted.

That’s when I met Holmvig this past Monday as he told me this story and of his hunt to return the photos and money to their rightful owners.

“I just know someone out there might cherish these photos and the memories that are with them,” said Holmvig with a smile. “I really want to see if there is something I can do.”

And Holmvig expressed interest in not only returning the photos — but the $100, too.

If anyone has information about the family or little girl in the photo, please contact me via information below.

JESSI PIERCE, staff writer, may be reached at 855-5859 or jessi.pierce@brainerddispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jessi_pierce (@jessi_pierce).