Motivation and Inspiration for The Family Historian in Us All!
In this Family History Products blog I hope to share my passion for preserving family history (stories) through lifestory and
autobiography writing, family photo and video preservation, journaling and more.
In a nutshell, I want to help ensure that as many stories about you and your family are
preserved and past on to your children and grandchildren as possible.
I try to do that through a combination of inspiring stories and reviews of cool "Tools and Toys"
that a family historian (like you) has available to them on the Web. I want to make it
easier for you and above all else.... a lot of fun!
Aug 28, 2010, Preserving Memories
How others are preserving memories of their lives, families and communities. A walk down memory lane!
If you need some journal writing ideas, journal writing topics and journal writing prompts visit CreativeWriting-Prompts.com/journal-writing-ideas.html.
Jun 18, 2010, Son Interviews Father for Father's Day
A nice but short excerpt of a son interviewing his father. This is another audio excerpt from the folks at StoryCorps. You might also be interested in this Father's Day story. http://www.familyhistoryproducts.com/fathers-day-poem.html
May 19, 2010, Life Story Notebooks Being Used at Idaho State Child Protection Services
From Michael Boyter, site owner of FamilyHistoryProducts.com: May 19th 2010 Hello everyone, I wanted to share an email, with you, that I received earlier
Mar 6, 2010, TV Show - Who Do You Think You Are? - Week 1
Last night (March 5th) I eagerly awaited the first episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Please see the promo video below.
Week one highlighted Sarah Jessica Parker's journey to discover her ancestry on her mother's side of the family.
Her search led her on a journey through time. She traveled to California to find an ancestor that had been a part of the California Gold Rush.
Her search also led her to search through old records of the Salem Witch Trials.
The show was everything that I had hoped for. Hopefully this show will inspire more to search for their ancestors as well.
Sarah learned many things that her mother didn't even know. At the end of the the show Sarah's mother made the comment that, Now you know and your kids will grow up knowing all of this. (paraphrase).
I think that was the most important thing said during the whole show. Once we discover our ancestry, and the associated stories, we must do all we can to ensure that those family stories and history are never again lost to future generations of the family.
Next week's episode will highlight former Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith.
Mar 6, 2010, Old School Memories - Sweet Memories of Yesteryear
I have great memories of attending Dillard Elementary, near Winston Oregon. I started first grade there in the early 1970s. They eventually stopped using
Feb 1, 2010, Genealogy TV Show: "Who Do You Think You Are?" March 2010
Here is a promo video of a new genealogy-related television show that start in March 2010. The show is set to air on NBC, in the United States. The show
Jan 14, 2010, Passage Express, Family History Multimedia Presentation Software
Passage Express organizes all of your various family photos, histories, genealogy, memorabilia
and more into a high-quality, interactive multimedia presentation
Here is another short audio biography produced by Story Corps. This one is a very touching story related by Gregg and Kathryn Corbin; and the lost of their 9 year old son Brian
I've always said that while many people are not quick to WRITE down stories from their life, or the lives of their loved ones, they are usually quick to TALK about them.
In my college U.S. History 2 class, about 20 of us were discussing the Great Depression of the 1930s.
It was suppose to be an open discussion and there was a small group of us answering most of the questions, of course.
But when the instructor asked if any of us had ever talked with our grandparents about The Great Depression, all but a few really opened up and began to tell stories they had been told.
They also were quick to make observations of their grandparents that they attributed to The Great Depression.
One 20 year old young woman told about how, to this day, her grandmother does not trust her money to banks. Her grandmother obviously never forgot about when the banks closed...and ones money could not be reached.
It was great to hear all of the stories that were shared and especially to see mostly young 18 to 21 year old perk up and take interest in listening and sharing family stories and memories.
Sep 24, 2009, NEW! The Journal v5 Software Download
I've had some more time to install and and work with the new Journal v5 software. I'm both excited and impressed with the new features, functions and overall look. The look is really different and COOL!
This link goes directory to the download. David, the software's creator, gives a very generous 45 day trial period.
http://www.familyhistoryproducts.com/journal5
Whether you've previously purchased The Journal or you've just been putting it off, I highly recommend downloading and using The Journal v5 soon.
SPECIAL NOTE: For those who are currently using version 4, please note that any of your previous entries WILL NOT be lost, by installing version 5.
Right now I am reading a book called "Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey: The River of Doubt".
It is an amazing and exciting book. It tells of the former U.S. president's travels through the Amazon in 1914. I am learning all kinds of things that I did not know about him.
But the reason that I mention it here, is because not only was President Roosevelt quite the journal keeper, but so were most of the men on the trip with him.
In fact, the book is constantly quoting President Roosevelt or someone else in the expedition party.
If not for the devout journal writing, by these men, there wouldn't be much of a book to read now.
Was journal writing that common back them?
I think that I'd be hard pressed to end up on a journey with a group of men today and find even one that keept a journal.
Anyway, that is something that was on my mind this morning.
Sep 11, 2009, Sunday is Grandparents Day
Grandparents Day is observed on Sunday September 13th this year.
I would also recommend taking the opportunity, whether by phone or in person, to get your grandparent(s) talking about the "good old days". A walk down memory lane will often be enjoyable for them and it will help you to learn more about your grandparent(s).
If ones grandparents are no longer living, take the time to write down some of your most cherished memories of them. Then make sure that these stories are passed on to your kids and grand kids. Your adult kids will appreciate these stories today...your grand kids will appreciate them "down the road"
Sep 11, 2009, Version 5 of The Journal Available
David Michael, creator of The Journal, has just released version 5 of his software. There are some very big upgrades to this version.
David offers a free 45 day trial of his journal program. Give it a try and see how you like it.
I've enjoyed using it for many years now.
Find out more and get a trial download by clicking the following link: The Journal V5
Aug 14, 2009, Two Brother Growing Up
“In 1966 I enlisted in the army for service in Vietnam. At that same time, Don was battling his diabetes.”
Jim Sargent (L) and his brother, Don (R), who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 17, interview each other.
Another Storycorps short audio recording. These recordings are wonderful and this is just one, of many. With Fathers Days approachingI thought this would be very appropriate!
"Brian Miller talks to his son, Johnathan Emerson, about adopting him as a single dad nearly ten years ago."
Keeping a diary or journal has never been easier or more convenient! The Journal automatically brings up a new
entry for you every day, and provides a calendar for easy review.
Keeping a diary or journal has never been easier or more convenient! The Journal automatically brings up a new
entry for you every day, and provides a calendar for easy review.
