Digging up family dirt is a hobby for me… maybe even an a bit of an obsession. But today I want to talk about the real family dirt. My Grandfather’s Garden My mother’s father had a huge garden on the shore. Three separate gardens that he rotated every other year. It was one of my …
This may surprise you, but yearbooks were not my favorite. I don’t think I have a copy of my yearbook from my high school graduation – and I was the valedictorian! I wasn’t thinking about documenting legacy back then. But now I love them. As my daughter graduates from 5th grade and elementary school I love …
A few weeks ago I pledge the oath and finalized my immigration to the United States of America. It was one of the most incredible feelings of my life. All the fear of having my life ripped out from under me, all the time and effort invested into getting there, and the journey of all …
Your personal history and the history of a loved one, community or organization can be shared in a way that will leave a lasting legacy. The process of saving your story often starts out with the a desire to document and share family values and lessons, and though we all seem to ask the same questions the results …
Bellefontaine Cemetery was not on my list of cemeteries to visit while spending a little time in St. Louis. I was interested in running by the Calvary Cemetery to spend a little time with Tennessee Williams. I have had a love affair with words for as long as I can remember and have made it a lifes …
How interesting would it be to find an eponym legacy in your family? An eponym is a person, place, or thing for which something is named for or believed to be named. For example Henry Louis “Lou” or “Buster” Gehrig is the eponym for ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. There are many medical related eponyms. They tend to …
I have been obsessed with documentaries, and what I now call legacy stories, for as long as I can remember. They say you never forget your first. Mine was Alexandra Deford. Alex: The Life of a Child was a book written by Alex’s father that shared his daughter’s legacy, her struggle with cystic fibrosis and …
Happy Valentine’s Day – we have long celebrated today as a legacy of romance. A Little History With roots as far back as the Roman Empire, people have been celebrating and sharing gifts on a special day in February for a very long time. Today Valentine’s is second only to Christmas in the amount of cards …
Tombstone meanings and symbols can lead to lots of interesting stories. Therefore research may take you into graveyards and cemeteries where knowing a little history will help you find deeper meanings hidden in the stones. Tombstone Meanings Ignited my Passion for Story Understanding the inscription on my great-grandfather’s headstone ignited my life long passion for true …
Interviews are a great way to document stories, but the whole idea can start to feel a little too formal when you’re meeting with family. Staying relaxed and keeping the person you are meeting with at ease is the best way to capture their personality and record a great interview. The Best Interviews Are Conversations There are few …