What great finds and wonderful projects you have ahead of you! I wonder if the family went through the old house? Can't believe someone would leave behind family heirlooms. But then again it happens.
The blue and white looks like a color variation of the Star of the Milky Way block, made with HST's. The free block pattern and tutorials are online. One here at Jinny's site:
http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-w...fm?blockid=204