Have You Added "This" to Your Genealogy Collection?

We all love to collect information on our ancestors and their collateral lines. We learn about their lives, what they did where they lived and who with among other wonderful things.

How many of us have thought, or taken the time to document our own lives? Do you have documents, pictures and stories of your life organized for your descendants? How long do we still have to wait until the next census release in order to find out more about our grandparents and great grandparents?

Why not help those descendants so they don't have to wait, with a book about YOU! I thought about this several years ago when I began a proper filing system and began compiling information about my life. I have a large binder (does that age me?) full of information, all in archival protected sleeves.


I started with a copy of my birth certificate and chronologically added documents that have occurred through my life. I have added school documents, photos and stories. Of course this book is never ending at this point. As I think of occurrences that have happened in my life, I try take note so I remember to write about it. Sometimes simple little conversations, photos and others experiences jog our memories to times past.

I photographed each home that I have lived in during my life, and documented my accomplishments. I am by no means completely caught up with this project, but work on it occasionally. I haven't worked on it for awhile though and hope to update my book soon. I have many new items to add! The sky is the limit, add any and everything!

Don't we all wish we had a book like this that our grandparents left for us? Sure it may take away from the "search" but what a treasure trove of information! With this my life's story will be almost complete, and a genealogist and or family historian can quickly move back to the next generation if they so choose. Really, how tough is it to add our story to a binder, who knows it best?

I unfortunately, wasn't left with a treasure trove of information on my grandparents. I have worked hard to find out what I now know and am still trying to learn. I know I wouldn't have turned down a treasure trove.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Comments

  1. I do this too, Cheryl, and it takes up more than one binder. I've also started similar binders for my husband and son, and I gave my parents (both age 81) some "memory books" at Christmas 2008 in hopes that they will record some of their stories. Let's just hope the descendants don't throw these treasure troves away!

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  2. What a great thing to do! Your descendants will be very lucky. We all should do this for our descendants, not sure where I would find the time. It is something I should find the time for!

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  3. Thanks for the reminder. I had started writing my life story in a spiral notebook years ago. Then life got in the way....

    I also have a binder or 2 with my life BC (before children) when I had my horses.

    I have 3 ring binders for my kids and their accomplishments/activities but not my husband or myself.

    I could at least start gathering and organizing some of those items relating to hubby and me that have come along since the kids were born and put them in a 3 ring binder. Great idea!

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  4. Hi Amanda, it is great that you have started binders for each of your family members. I have "collections" in boxes for others in my family, but they are not in binders totally. There is two binders for one daughter, but not the other one or my husband yet. My father has been given a memory book also, but to my knowledge has never written in it. I hope your parents are more diligent regarding this. I also have spoken with my daughter and plan further arrangements for all of my genealogical items I put together just because I do not want to see them thrown away. This has been a big topic this week for me!

    Hi Harriet, there is so much I want to do and never have enough time. The best I can do is what I can do and that is better than nothing at all!

    Hi Michelle, I hate to tell you how many times I "started" my life story...at least we have them started, right?

    Thank you all for your comments! They are greatly appreciated!

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  5. We call it adding color to our family histories (the Wild Ones). I'm sure my children will one day be horrified by what I've written about them. I'll know then, that I've done my job properly!

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  6. Hi TennLady, yes adding color is what we do isn't it? You are so right, when they are horrified, you know you did your job, perfect analogy! Thank you for commenting, I love it!

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