Do you feel like you are loosing history in your family?

I have been researching family history since I was 16. If at all possible, take the time to take a small tape recorder, and just let her talk, let her tell the stories. Afterwards, take that tape and type up the stories she has related, as a back up to the tape. Or video tape her, if she doesn't mind it. It is said that so many times the elderly members pass on and noone takes the time to record the family history from them.

I know what you're saying. My aunt has Alzheimer's and now that information is gone. Fortunately some of her memories were recorded. Try to get your grandmother to talk to you on tape!

Oh this is certainly a big worry. I've been working on my genealogy for a bunch of years now and it's always at the top of my mind that history is being lost constantly.

The main problem I've found is that people don't really want to say much. Older people think that the younger wouldn't really be interested in*their* life, so they don't say much.

I've asked and I've written a LOT of letters. They don't answer... I'm not sure what the problem is, but in their minds, it's often NOT interesting so all the wonderful stories go with them. It's very sad!

You may want to ask your grandmother and her brothers direct questions instead of something like "what was it like when you were a kid?" If it's a direct "what was the best birthday you ever had when you were a child?" or "did you have a favorite doll?" it sometimes spurs memories and they start talking more.

Might also consider doing "interviews" with a micro cassette recorder. Good luck... it's a wonderful hobby to have!

NOpe....not that at alll...

you know even if your grandmother will past away in some point of time of her life...YOU are the next generation who can continue to spread your race..so don't worry at all..JUSt accept the fact that we all people livin on this earth will soon fade away as dust ...this life we had now is not ours and someday the CREATURE his holy NAME 'GOD" will take it back in a certain time that we don't know when...##

LIFE's like tHIS ..we can't deny the fact that we had to left our life here on earth ..

@jam@
~live life~ be contented***

Sadly with the passing of my mother recently, I have lost so much family history...She was the last of her family.

I've lost all the elders in my family, but I keep their memories alive by having a scrapbook that memorializes their lives. I also have written down the stories they all used to tell me about when they were growing up and all. The stories of how my parents met, my gramma being a one-room schoolhouse teacher, and all the ones that I can remember. I also have been doing my families genealogy project. I've traced most of my ancestors way back to the mid 1800's. It's always nice to have this stuff written down. Our kids may not be interested in it now, but it is something that can be passed along in the family. We have to appreciate our roots!

yep same here, we do not know anything beyond my grandmother, and nothing about her husband's family, nothing about my mothers family either.

Hi kaysue,,,
One of the things I regret the most - regarding genealogy and our family history - is that I didn't spend more time talking to my grand parents about their lives.
When they were alive, even though I was researching our family history then too, I was more interested in names, dates and who was who....
I wish I had known the questions to ask and I wish I had listened more. I wish I had known then what I know now and been able to be more persistent, asking questions about their lives.
Now that they are all gone, there are so many things I realize only they would have had the answers to.
I suppose, for some, many of the questions weren't meant to be answered.
Loosing them for sure, means I've lost some of the history of our family. Maybe not important to some, but to me, realizing who they really were, how they lived and some of the things they did (that we don't know now), would have been so very interesting.
Through research, finding out things from other families who knew them is so interesting. It opens doors to knowing things we otherwise wouldn't know.
I hope you spend as much time with her as possible.

I felt like that. There was only my great aunt that could tell anyone anything.

Since I had no way to send her a cassette and recorder, I wrote up a little question sheet with space for her to put the answers. About how things were while she was growing up.

I HAD sent my other great aunt questions about her family history. She sent back 4 pages of stuff I never would have known.

If your grandma lives nearby, take a tape recorder with you and have her tell you stories about the family. Then she will always be with you AND you get stories and information you may not have had.

Sadly, I have already lost all of my grandparents. I was able to get some information from my dad's parents before they passed away, but not from my mom's. My paternal grandpa also had a brother who was quite a bit more clear on a lot of the family history, but I found out he passed away the last time I asked my dad for his address.

I need to get my fiance to realize this as well. Although his remaining grandparents are in fairly good health, it's still a good idea to get as much information as we can from them before they are gone.