Celebrate Personal
History Awareness Month
during the month of May!
In honor of Personal History Awareness Month (sponsored by
the Association of Personal Historians),
why not take some time to think about how you can begin recording the story of your life?
Remember, even if you think your life has been highly ordinary, those "mundane"
stories of daily life will be fascinating to your grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
if not today than certainly when they're older.
Here are some tips for getting started on recording your
own stories and memories:
- Realize that you needn't think of this as a huge project.
Don't let yourself become overwhelmed; just begin with a few of your favorite memories.
- Use your photographs and mementos to help you think of
stories from your past. One good way to record some of your stories is to write captions
to go with your photos – these captions are stories in themselves.
- Another strategy is to think about stories that involve
tension, conflict, mystery, or big decisions that you had to make. Some examples would be
how your family handled a drought on the farm, how you decided where to go to college, or
the stress involved with having a loved one away at war or being at war yourself. You can
also think of the "fun" sort of tension, such as a prank or practical joke you
played or a family get-together or party where things did not go as expected.
- Memories can be presented in two general ways: as
"flows of consciousness," or as concrete stories with a beginning, middle, and
end. Both ways are valid, but rather than try to get "everything" down, try to
think of those stories that best illustrate who you are or were or that describe
interesting events, conflicts, etc.
- Memories come a little at a time but sometimes arrive in
"floods." Keep a notepad nearby to jot down thoughts that occur whenever they
may arise.
- Talk to family members or old friends, and share your
memories about the same events and topics. It will be interesting to see the similarities
and differences between your versions of the story. Write down your interpretation, and
reflect on why yours might differ from someone else's.
- Take time to think about who you want to hear or read your
stories: Your direct descendants? The community? Anyone, just for posterity and history?
Think about your audience as you write or record. Even if you're writing for your direct
descendants, don’t assume they'll know who, where, or what you're talking about;
provide details such as last names and dates, to the best of your knowledge.
- Describe places in detail: the houses and towns you've lived
in, your favorite vacation spots, the place you got married, the places you have
worked.... It can be helpful and very interesting to try drawing a floor plan of your
childhood home. Look at the rooms on paper and remember what you and your family did in
each part of the house. Don't forget the backyard and the street!
- Consider how you feel about having people know your secrets
and innermost thoughts and feelings. This will dictate the types of things you want to
write or record. Even if there are things you don't want to share, it's OK to think about
them for yourself. Remembering your personal secrets can guide you in thinking about the
things you do want to share.
Have fun, and e-mail if you have
questions!!!
303-216-1659
Golden, Colorado
E-mail inquiries to questions@everyonehasastory.us
Home