Stories, Not Just History
Sure you need to keep your family tree charts and group sheets safe, but that’s not what I have on my mind today. I’m thinking about the stories, the things that are so easily lost and not attainable in public records. Have you ever said, “I wish I had asked my grandparents about their lives when they were still here with us?” I’ve heard it many times, and I’ve said it myself. So here are some tips for capturing those stories.
1. Make a Recording
Never has it been more convenient to get those stories and tales recorded. Most people have cell phones with video capability. You can also download an app just for recording audio–you know, like those tape recorders we had in the old days! Here is one in iTunes and here are some for Android. I’m not endorsing any, so look around and find the best voice recorder for you.
Hearing the stories about someone’s youth in his/her own voice is a treasure. Be sure to download the file to your computer and back it up. Here’s a don’t-do-what-I-did tip: Make sure you know where your cell phone’s speaker is and don’t cover it up with your thumb. I only got bits of this conversation (pictured below) between my mother and her sister. It was classic. Glad others were recording at the same time!
Remember to record your own stories. Tell everyone at your next family gathering what you plan to do and just have fun. Chances are you’d be talking about these things anyway, so get them recorded. Just make sure everyone’s aware of what you’re doing. You might want to edit too. Sometimes people say things they regret. Remember that Yogi Berra quote: I really didn’t say everything I said! Older people can be a product of the age they grew up in when there wasn’t as much political correctness, if you know what I mean.
2. Don’t Forget to Take Pictures
It’s easy to forget when you’re gathered with folks and caught up in conversations. That’s why my cousin hired a photographer for our family reunion.
Also take pictures of pictures if you have no other way to copy a photo you come across. The more copies out there the more likely a photo will not be lost. Share on Facebook/Pinterest/Tumblr…then the image will be forever, right? Some social media sites like Pinterest allow you to make private boards if you’d rather. And don’t forget to get in the picture yourself. (Isn’t everyone taking selfies these days?) When my sister passed away I was sad to discover that she’d managed to stay out of the way of cameras for most of her life.
3. Go Ahead and Use Paper and Pencil
Technology fails often, doesn’t it? Take some notes, put out a guestbook, encourage folks to write things down. Everything that I have in my dad’s handwriting makes me feel connected to him even though he’s been in Heaven for a few years now. We’ve definitely gotten away from letter writing in this society, but often people will write down their thoughts and emotions better than they would in person. Don’t miss that opportunity.
4. Get as Much as Possible on Your Computer
I know that seems to contradict what I’ve been saying, but it doesn’t really. You need both electronic copies and paper copies. What if there’s a fire? What if your computer crashes? Oh, yes, there’s the cloud, so definitely get your family treasures out on the cloud as well. Do it all. Just in case.
Family genealogists are probably using a program such as Ancestry.com or Family Tree Maker software, and they are wonderful for storing not only names and dates, but also photographs, scanned documents, videos and voice recordings. And sharing with other family members is quick and easy. If genealogy is not your thing, I hope there is a keeper of the records and stories in your family.
Wrapping it Up
I know I’ve just thrown out a couple of ideas. I want everyone to know how easy and convenient it can be to preserve the stories of their ancestors and their own as well because EVERYONE SHOULD KEEP THE STORIES!
How are you keeping your family stories for future generations?
Thank YOU! This is what I preach all of the time~ and you wrapped it in one simple phrase “Stories, Not Just History”
Great tips too, you’ve got me as a follower 🙂
Thanks so much. Keep preaching it, sister! 🙂
Hi, Cindy!!
Interesting post!! My family is fortunate in that we did tape record an interview with my grandparents a number of years before they passed away. However, your post brought up a good point – we should have the interview transferred to another source for longer preservation. My mother is the camera addict in our family – she has photos of every outing, get-together AND meal for, probably, as long as I can remember (LOL). And you’re right – she isn’t in a lot of photos, as she is always the one taking them and never wanting to bother people for a second photo that would include her. We need to rectify that. I have a pre-made booklet of questions that I had her fill out to help preserve memories of her life. My brother is the genealogist in our family and has spent many hours researching, tramping through cemeteries and historical ruins, etc – I’m grateful for the info he has gathered. His wife has jokingly said, at times, that he spends more time with the dead than the living (LOL). We have some illustrious ancestors on my mother’s side of the family – some who played a large part in the settlement of America – we’ve not been able to find near as much info on my father’s side of the family.
Shared post!!
Good for you, Bonnie!