{"id":2270,"date":"2020-05-06T06:45:39","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T06:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lundeenfamilytree.com\/?p=2270"},"modified":"2020-05-06T06:54:09","modified_gmt":"2020-05-06T06:54:09","slug":"be-involved-in-your-own-family-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lundeenfamilytree.com\/?p=2270","title":{"rendered":"Be involved in your own family history"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today I finished transcribing the letters from my Grandpa to my Grandma during World War II. I learned a lot about that time period from reading the letters. They talked about war time issues that were so fascinating. I learned what V-J day stood for. It gave me insight into my Grandfather’s thoughts and feelings towards my Grandmother that were touching to read and learn about. I’m really glad Camille kept these letters close to remind her of the courtship and love my Grandfather had for her. He got alzheimers and I’m sure reading these letters was a comfort and reminder of who he once was and his devotion to her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we don’t think about our own lives and the history that we are making each day it will vanish before we know it. It’s so important to keep a journal, calendar, diary or some sort of reminder of the activities in our lives and our families. Without the letters or memories from Camille and Howard we would not know much about their lives and feelings towards each other and their family. I encourage everyone to think about who they are, and the mark they want to leave for future generations. I loved this post from familysearch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Started<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

1. Own Your Story<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You are absolutely the best person in the world to write your story<\/a> and your family history<\/a>. You are the only human being ever born to this earth who has your unique perspective and life experiences. You know all the details. You were there. J.K. Rowling couldn\u2019t tell your stories better than you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"No<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Tell Favorite Stories Aloud<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons my cousin\u2019s words came so alive for me is because her family members are all great verbal storytellers<\/a>. They get together and reminisce and repeat some of the same stories over and over. This practice adds structure to fragmented memories, making it easier to write them down later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Make a Time Line of Major Life Events<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In a notebook or a computer document, write down each year you\u2019ve been alive. Leave a page or two between each year. Now start adding in all of the big turning points that divide your life into chapters: being born, going to school, moving, changing schools, reaching religious milestones, learning to drive, graduating, getting a job, changing jobs, getting married, having children. Unhappy events like divorces and deaths will make the list too. Jot down names, places, dates. If all you ever complete in your personal history is this list of major life events<\/a>, that\u2019s a lot<\/em> better than nothing. If you\u2019re inspired to keep going, you\u2019ll have a great framework for writing a thorough personal history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"18<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Be Specific<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Add as many relevant details as you can when sharing a memory<\/a>. If you make a general statement, think about the evidence you\u2019d include if you had to prove you\u2019re telling the truth. For example, my cousin Natalie wrote, \u201cI remember Grandpa always took very nice care of things.\u201d If she had stopped there, it still would have been a true statement about Grandpa, but it became much more memorable when she added this detail: \u201cIf he used the weed eater, he\u2019d wipe it off and put it back in the box.\u201d Now that<\/em> tells a story about just how careful and meticulous Grandpa was. Not only did he keep the original box for years and years, he also took the time to wipe off dirty lawn equipment before putting it away. I loved that detail; I can picture him doing exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"18<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Just Start<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter how far behind you feel you are in capturing your personal history<\/a>. Start somewhere<\/a>, and start today. Even if you don\u2019t have time to delve deeply into the past right now, make a regular habit of capturing and collecting current thoughts and memories. The important thing is to capture them while they\u2019re still fresh; you can always organize and rearrange your memories later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trigger Memories Authentically<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

6. Make a List of Stories to Tell<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not sure where to start with your personal or family history<\/a>? Start by making a list of stories you want to write down eventually. Then elaborate on each of them, one by one. Think about the anecdotes you find yourself telling over and over\u2014like that disaster you narrowly avoided, that crazy coincidence, that one time you ran into a famous person. If anyone ever says, \u201cYeah, you told me that one before,\u201d that\u2019s a clue the story is important to you. Add it to your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Forget About Chronology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I know I told you to make a time line, but there\u2019s no rule that says you have to write your life story in chronological order. You can use the time line for reference only, then write your stories in any order you want<\/a>. After all, you don\u2019t remember<\/em> your life in chronological order. Memories tend to pop up at random, triggered by the strangest things. As you write your stories down, you can add whatever structure to your memories you want. Leave them in random order. Group them by person or place. I have an encyclopedia-style document on my computer where I gather memories under alphabetized topics: \u201cAdventures with Jori,\u201d \u201cBody Quirks,\u201d \u201cCheese,\u201d etc. (Yes, I really do have a story about cheese.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Easy<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Use Memory Triggers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Photos, keepsakes, clothing, and other objects can be wonderful memory triggers<\/a>. Look through photo albums at relatives\u2019 homes and see what stories come to mind. Then add them to your list of stories to tell. Plan a visit to a neighborhood or city where you once lived. Walk around, notebook in hand, and see what memories surface. You can also use questions or writing prompts, like the #52stories project<\/a>, to trigger memories and stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Let Your Thoughts Percolate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to summon stories on demand; our memories just don\u2019t work that way. If you\u2019re using writing prompts or trying to answer a list of questions, read through them at the beginning of the week. Then set them aside, and go about your life. You\u2019ll be surprised what you can remember after you let a question marinate in your mind for a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Gather Memories from Other People<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Consult siblings, cousins, children, and other relatives<\/a> to help round out your memories of a person or event. Natalie talked to two of her sisters before typing up the final list of memories she sent to my dad. I\u2019m so grateful to all of my cousins and aunts for contributing their perspectives, despite any writing insecurity they might have felt. Now we have a well-rounded picture of this man we all loved, from those who knew him as a young father and those who knew him as an aging grandfather, from those who saw him daily and those who visited a few times a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Start<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keep It Simple<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

11. Use Your Handwriting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I already know what some of you are going to say. \u201cBut I have ugly handwriting. I hate my handwriting. Typing is so much easier.\u201d Let me just ask you this: Have you ever encountered a recipe written in your grandmother\u2019s hand and thought anything other than, \u201cWow, I miss her.\u201d Your handwriting is unique to you. Your family will want<\/em> to have some of your words written in your own hand. They won\u2019t judge you for sloppy or imperfect handwriting. They\u2019ll treasure it as a piece of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Easy<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

12. Write the Way You Speak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Forget about formality and the rules of writing. Just do your best to allow your authentic voice to shine through. The more your written words reflect the way you speak, the better. It can take years for even professional writers to find their own \u201cvoice\u201d and feel truly at home with their style, so don\u2019t worry if you feel awkward with writing at first. If you still feel stuck, pretend you\u2019re telling the story out loud to a friend. Actually say each sentence out loud, and then write down what you said. It\u2019s that simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

13. Don\u2019t Stress about Grammar and Spelling<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a saying I want you to repeat to yourself over and over: Don\u2019t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. What does that mean? Perfection is not the goal. If that\u2019s what you\u2019re aiming for, you won\u2019t get anything done at all. An imperfect life story that\u2019s written down is infinitely more valuable than a perfect story that\u2019s never told. So don\u2019t worry if you struggled diagramming sentences in school and can\u2019t distinguish a subject from a predicate. If you know how to speak in coherent sentences, you\u2019ll be able to write a coherent history, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Write<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

14. Write in List Form<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lists are a great way to break up your prose, making it both easier to write and more fun to read. The options are endless. Here\u2019s a brief list of things you could make lists about in your journal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n