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If you have a grandparent or great-grandparent who loves to reminisce about “the old days”, make the most of their memories and record them for future generations before it’s too late. Unless you have perfect recall, their precious memories of your family will die out when they go.
Nowadays, oral history is not so often passed down from generation to generation, with children sitting and listen to their “elders” from early childhood on. We’re too busy with school and after-school activities, then with further education, work and interests...and we often don’t even live near, let alone with, our older generations. Life moves too fast and one day, when we stop and wonder where we came from, our elders may no longer be around.
However, we also live in an age of wonderful and reasonably cheap technology, so it’s easier than ever to record and share memories, photos etc from our family’s past.
This Instructable gives some ideas that I’ve tried out successfully with the elders in my family. I wish I had started years ago, but I’ve started now, and that’s what counts. I’ve met with such enthusiasm from family members and others I’ve spoken to that I thought I’d share my experiences.
You can use this method with your oldest family members or an elderly friend who has stories to tell; or if you are part of an organisation (school, club etc) that has been around for a while, you could record the “early days” of the organisation as told by former/older members.
Nowadays, oral history is not so often passed down from generation to generation, with children sitting and listen to their “elders” from early childhood on. We’re too busy with school and after-school activities, then with further education, work and interests...and we often don’t even live near, let alone with, our older generations. Life moves too fast and one day, when we stop and wonder where we came from, our elders may no longer be around.
However, we also live in an age of wonderful and reasonably cheap technology, so it’s easier than ever to record and share memories, photos etc from our family’s past.
This Instructable gives some ideas that I’ve tried out successfully with the elders in my family. I wish I had started years ago, but I’ve started now, and that’s what counts. I’ve met with such enthusiasm from family members and others I’ve spoken to that I thought I’d share my experiences.
You can use this method with your oldest family members or an elderly friend who has stories to tell; or if you are part of an organisation (school, club etc) that has been around for a while, you could record the “early days” of the organisation as told by former/older members.
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Signing UpStep 1What You Need
You will need:
a) Willing elders – don’t discount the very old, as often they think about the past a lot, and may have much clearer memories of their childhood than you do of yours!
b) Recording device – digital voice recorder, camera with video function, tape recorder, e even pen and paper... see Step 2; also a computer with a burner and DVDs etc to store and share the results of your project
c) Prompts – photos, questions etc- see Step 3.
a) Willing elders – don’t discount the very old, as often they think about the past a lot, and may have much clearer memories of their childhood than you do of yours!
b) Recording device – digital voice recorder, camera with video function, tape recorder, e even pen and paper... see Step 2; also a computer with a burner and DVDs etc to store and share the results of your project
c) Prompts – photos, questions etc- see Step 3.
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BTW, all the software used is free.
Qa
I was just going to label all the sound files and photos and stick them on a DVD to share but with careful editing it would be a wonderful presentation!
This has given me something new to aim for! Thanks for sharing this idea :)
You've reminded me to get a move on and do some more recording of my Mum and M-i-L (both in their 90's, so I shouldn't delay...).
I agree that recording anything is a good start :) The old photos got my Mum going (also interview with granddaughter helped her to be less self-conscious), and the questions have really motivated my Mother-in-law. Once they got used to being recorded, they really got into it.
That's a great idea about the recipes- not just the recipe, but the extra touches! I'm thinking maybe video of Grandma showing one of the grandkids how to cook an old favourite...
Thanks for the thoughts!
My Rule#1 used to be: ALWAYS take my camera with me (has served me well) but now it's
Rule #1: BE CAREFUL with the camera!
I'm not even sure about a $1200 SLR - don't know that I can trust myself not to drop it :(
... I think I may need to visit my grandparents...
Yes, if you don't make a priority to visit your grandparents, time slips by, and one day you say "I wish I'd...." ;)
She had so many great stories - I would have loved a permanent copy in her voice.
My Mother-in-law was doubtful at first, but I pointed out that her great-great grandchildren would be interested, and now she's fired up - she keeps thinking of more stories to tell. I bought the voice recorder for her to use alone or with other family members.
It's worth trying it with other elders n your family, if you have any that are willing. You never know when their memories will fade, or how long they will be around. I bet even your parents have some interesting stories to tell of pre-internet days;)
It was actually my cousin who lives in Spain (I'm in Australia) who was very interested in the old family photos- so that got me digging out old photos to scan and send to her, then I realised they needed descriptions, and other cousins were interested....
I wonder if you could get any of your rellies interested? Facebook is great for starting up a discussion, as well as getting in touch with cousins you don't usually see. If someone was willing to video an elder answering a few quesitons "for you", they might get the bug...
Good luck- hope you manage to get something recorded at least.