This Thanksgiving while visiting with your family, take the time to discuss your ancestors. What better time to talk about the history of your family than this time of year when everyone is gathered together.

Take the time to listen to the stories of your elders. Gather the family together and let the stories flow. The youngest in the family may become fascinated with hearing these stories. you may want to document the stories somehow to keep as a part of your family legacy. These stories can then be passed down for generations to come. 

Some options for documenting the stories of your family:

1) Make notes while the story is being told.

2) Use a recording device to record the audio (make sure the person telling the story is aware you are recording)

3) Set up a video camera for that added effect for the story telling, so later on people will be able to see the person telling the story.

Many years ago, my father did this exact thing with my grandmother. She has since passed on, but the stories she told will live on forever. When I began the research into my family, this recording was one of the first things I used to help build the family tree.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Some family members may not be with you next year at Thanksgiving. 

• Prev
• Next