I’ve written about this before but probably five years ago — no, I looked it up and it was seven years ago — I purchased two of these books. One was sent to my uncle and I asked him to fill it all out. Addie adores him and his memories were something I wanted her to always have with her. I have the second book and I will fill it out for her. I’ve started it but haven’t finished.
My uncle, being so precise about everything he does, filled out every question in wonderful details. After retiring as a school teacher, school principal and an administrator at the local school district, he became executive director at a local organization. There were newsletters that went out — I don’t know if it was each month or each quarter and I’ve already packed them away, but he went through all those old newsletters and included some he thought Addie would like to read some day.
He wrote this one after my grandmother passed away. I started to read it and didn’t get very far. I promised Vince today would be a no crying day. I lied.
Some day I will read this but not today! But, I will save it and cherish it forever and hope that some day it will mean something to Addie – to get a glimpse of her great, great grandmother from a time long ago!
Laura Haynes says
Sometime after you get settled in MO, you may want to take your newspaper clippings to get copied onto acid-free/archival paper. Newspaper or its ink contain acids that will cause deterioration. Photocopying onto acid-free paper or scanning it into computer memory will preserve it longer.
I’m glad you have preserved so many memories for your family.
Judy Laquidara says
Thank you for that advice. I never knew that. I will do that as soon as I come across it again after the move.
judyt52 says
Oh, I know how that goes. Recently I had to clean out my Dad’s house since he went to a nursing facility. I found so much stuff on family, etc., that none of us kids had any idea about. They never verbally shared too much but we’ve learned a lot of things about relatives we remember and those we didn’t ever meet. It’s sorta unfortunate as none of our kids will want any of that with the possible exception of my grandson, because none of them knew the “older generation.” Most of it will probably go to the county museum for their files. I hope that since Addie already has a personal attachment to your uncle that it will be something she will cherish.
Judy Laquidara says
Aren’t you glad you went through it and didn’t just hire someone to come in and clean it all out!
Nelle Coursey says
What wonderful memories to have! When she gets older she will be so glad you did this for her. She may even love it now!
Susan Nixon says
That’s going to mean a lot to her, I predict. You will influence her there by not waiting until someday to share stories with her. Share everything you can now. Teach her who people in the past were, remark on their birthdays, show whatever pictures you have of weddings or other celebrations. I cherish each picture I’ve found, because there are so few. Label the pictures, keep them with a genealogy of the family to whom they belong. It takes time, but start and do it on a regular schedule. My schedule is every Monday night. When you write to her, and I suggest real letters, even when you are less than an hour away, include bits of your life and at least one memory or tidbit of information about your ancestors. See if you can get her other grandparents involved, too. Studies DO show that children who know their ancestors are less likely to go off the rails in any way.
This is a great way to do it. I’ve written a lot of family history, mostly from my memory, but some with one brother’s additions and some of my older sister’s research. I actually keep it in an online WordPress blog, and make additions when I find out new things from my own family history research. I’ve found entire lines of family I didn’t know about, and they had *amazing* stories. My children aren’t having children, so I hope it will be nieces and nephews and their children who are interested in at least some of it.
Katie says
I did that book with my Mom, got 3/4 of the questions answered before she passed. I got more stories than I wrote. It was a wonderful time to hear and see her face as she told them. I really liked the one she told but said don’t put that one in there. It was fun to see her as a person and not just my Mom.
Mary says
I tried to read it but couldn’t make it large enough on my iPad.