Welcome aboard. Somewhat similar in that my mom threw out a lot/most of my hockey cards from back in the day but I am also very grateful that my father kept his 1952 Topps cards, including a Mantle, Mays and Robinson, that he gifted me over 30 years ago.
My Uncle, on the other hand, had many 52 Topps cards (30-40 maybe?) including an Eddie Mathews, and likely some other high numbered cards, that he sold, likely on the cheap, to a pawn shop after I had told him if he was ever thinking of selling/getting rid of them, to let me know.
It can be a fun, and frustrating, hobby at times but for the most part reliving our youth and collecting cards from that era is a great pastime.
Good luck on your quest.
