A family history book is a collection of important, and even trivial, family information. A "Book of Remembrance" is more specifically charts and forms, with written histories and some pictures. A family history book can be put together to include a list of immediate family members, birthdates, birthplaces, pictures of the home, the address, pictures of vacations, tokens from memorable occasions, all with written descriptions, of course, and whatever else seems appropriate.
Become "snap happy" with the camera and include pictures of anything and everything (they can be sorted out later). Take pictures of where you live, best friends, favorite things, a meal around the dinner table, ...everything!
Gather souveniers from wherever you go: receipts from anniversary restaurants, movie ticket stubs, napkins from receptions, flyers from vacation spots, a leaf or flower from a car trip.....but you might want to leave that tiny bar of soap back at the hotel! You'll end up with enough "stuff" to fill a few books, but that's what family history is all about. Just keep gathering mementos from wherever you go and add it.
Our trip to Wyoming made up a bulging, 2", three ring binder filled with pages of pictures, newspapers, receipts, wrappers, etc., all with descriptions and captions - and that was just one trip! What fun it is to get that book out and remind us of the fun we had! Imagine the effect it will have on the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to see our adventures!
There doesn't have to be a special occasion to document your history. A trip to the grocery store reveals the everyday life you have. Your shopping list and the receipt, the current ads, and your written description of your experience, including who you saw and what you thought, sheds light on your current circumstances for readers now and in the future.
Once you've put together a collection of stuff, big or small, and put it in a binder or folder, you begin to train your eye for future items to include in another binder or folder. Sure, in the end (if there is an end), you could have boxes and boxes of binders, books, folders, etc., of family experiences. But what a cherished history you've compiled for your posterity!
So gather anything and everything! Get it All!
Become "snap happy" with the camera and include pictures of anything and everything (they can be sorted out later). Take pictures of where you live, best friends, favorite things, a meal around the dinner table, ...everything!
Gather souveniers from wherever you go: receipts from anniversary restaurants, movie ticket stubs, napkins from receptions, flyers from vacation spots, a leaf or flower from a car trip.....but you might want to leave that tiny bar of soap back at the hotel! You'll end up with enough "stuff" to fill a few books, but that's what family history is all about. Just keep gathering mementos from wherever you go and add it.
Our trip to Wyoming made up a bulging, 2", three ring binder filled with pages of pictures, newspapers, receipts, wrappers, etc., all with descriptions and captions - and that was just one trip! What fun it is to get that book out and remind us of the fun we had! Imagine the effect it will have on the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to see our adventures!
There doesn't have to be a special occasion to document your history. A trip to the grocery store reveals the everyday life you have. Your shopping list and the receipt, the current ads, and your written description of your experience, including who you saw and what you thought, sheds light on your current circumstances for readers now and in the future.
Once you've put together a collection of stuff, big or small, and put it in a binder or folder, you begin to train your eye for future items to include in another binder or folder. Sure, in the end (if there is an end), you could have boxes and boxes of binders, books, folders, etc., of family experiences. But what a cherished history you've compiled for your posterity!
So gather anything and everything! Get it All!
1 comment:
This is so informative and beautifully written. I am so glad you told me about your blog. thanks!
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