"Consider the Years of Many Generations; Ask...Your Elders"
In the Bible, the nation of Israel repeatedly lapsed into immorality and social chaos. Why? It was largely because the people lost contact with the past. They became so focused on the “now” that they neglected to learn about the past. They failed to ASK their parents and other elders about the history that had brought them to the “now” and would help inform them on how to face the “future.”
How Many Times Have You Wished You Had Asked Your Parents or Other Older Relatives More Questions About Your Family's History?
My mother had a remarkable memory of her past. Even before I became deeply interested in family history, I loved to hear her tell stories about her growing-up years. And she knew a lot about other families among whom she lived. Her mind just seemed to naturally absorb history. Dad probably knew a lot more about his Haston family than he ever talked about. He passed away in 2001, and now I wish I could sit down with him and ask him to tell me about his early years–the places where his family lived, his most memorable stories from his childhood and teen years, his life as the youngest of eight children, his experience in the Civil Conservation Corps, and many more stories.
Mom lived alone for several years after Dad passed away. She lived on a very restricted budget and was disappointed when she realized she could no longer buy Christmas presents for her three children, grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. Instead of purchasing gifts for us, we asked her to write a journal filled with many of her memories. She wrote about 50 pages and distributed copies to each of us. These are priceless–and the value increases with every year that passes!
Old People Are Repositories of Family History, Tap Into Them While You Can
Two Admonitions, From Me to You
One: Wait no longer. Set a time now to get together with your parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and other family members who are repositories of your family’s history. Record their stories in a way that can be preserved for future generations. It’s a gift that will keep on giving well past your lifetime!
Two: Don’t wait until your children and grandchildren come to pick your historical brain. Start writing your own stories now.
A few years ago, one of our daughters gave us a subscription to Storyworth, an online place to record stories from your life that you would like to pass on to your children and generations of grandchildren. These books can be printed and bound by Storyworth. They make beautiful books. I plan to keep writing as long as I can and let my daughters print out the books when I am gone.
Storyworth is a wonderful Christmas gift to give to yourself and others.
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