Plan to start with a family tree then take it one step further and capture a time through writing, photos, and adding video. It becomes much more meaningful. In one family history video I interviewed a father and his children. I was struck by how they reacted to the questions. The quick knowing smiles, their voice inflections, their posture, it was so obvious to me that these people were related. None of that can be captured on paper and yet future generations may see themselves or their children in those gestures. Doesn’t it make you wonder what you inherited from your great-great grandmother or her great-great grandfather?
You also have the opportunity to pass on your ethics, your faith, your life lessons, and history. How you or your parents made it through the depression can be very inspiring to someone now who just lost their job. Just sharing yourself can help a future child rethink or reprioritize family over things, people over possessions. What was it like the first time you saw your spouse? What made you start your own business? What do you remember most about your father or mother? The answers to those kinds of questions may seem mundane to you but to future relatives they are priceless.
It is a beautiful gift to pass on.
If you are planning to interview your parents or grandparents – or maybe even your great-grandparents – you will find it truly enlightening. Expect the unexpected. I was 33 when I found out that my surname quite possibly should have been Sawyer. Three out of my four grandparents, including my fraternal grandfather, were not raised by both of their natural parents. Life was rough here in the United States in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The stories I heard are fascinating to me. They mean so much to me because they are real people whose stories are part of my life – and helped shape my life.
Whether from humble beginnings or royalty, whether you find your family history or not, the act of working on this project will open your mind to a time gone by, it could help you feel grounded in today and see a hope in tomorrow.
Enjoy the journey!
You also have the opportunity to pass on your ethics, your faith, your life lessons, and history. How you or your parents made it through the depression can be very inspiring to someone now who just lost their job. Just sharing yourself can help a future child rethink or reprioritize family over things, people over possessions. What was it like the first time you saw your spouse? What made you start your own business? What do you remember most about your father or mother? The answers to those kinds of questions may seem mundane to you but to future relatives they are priceless.
It is a beautiful gift to pass on.
If you are planning to interview your parents or grandparents – or maybe even your great-grandparents – you will find it truly enlightening. Expect the unexpected. I was 33 when I found out that my surname quite possibly should have been Sawyer. Three out of my four grandparents, including my fraternal grandfather, were not raised by both of their natural parents. Life was rough here in the United States in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The stories I heard are fascinating to me. They mean so much to me because they are real people whose stories are part of my life – and helped shape my life.
Whether from humble beginnings or royalty, whether you find your family history or not, the act of working on this project will open your mind to a time gone by, it could help you feel grounded in today and see a hope in tomorrow.
Enjoy the journey!
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