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Motivation and Inspiration for The Family Historian in Us All!

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!

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

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Jan 26, 2010, The Lucky Spider: A 200 Year Old Family Story

Around 200 years ago my ancestors lived in a cottage on the Outer of Cork in Ireland. They lived in the woods in a beautiful cottage. They were very,

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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

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Jan 12, 2010, A Good Photo Scanning Service Will Save You Hours and Worry

Photo scanning service - What a relief to finally get those slides, negatives and photos scanned

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Jan 8, 2010, How Carbonite Backup Saved My Family Photos, Documents and Other Important Items

Carbonite backup gets an A+ - Are you backing up your important family pictures files?

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Jan 8, 2010, Transfer VHS to DVD - Convert VHS Tapes to DVD - Questions to Ask Your Video to DVD Transfer Service

To transfer VHS to DVD and stop the degradation and preserve family memories, act now. Answers on how to convert VHS tapes to DVD

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Jan 4, 2010, Family History Products... writing an autobiography, family history software

Writing an autobiography for yourself or a family member is now made simple. Get a copy of the MemoryGrabber e-book and get started today!

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Jan 2, 2010, Convert Slides. Removing Spots From Scans

I wanted to convert slides to 35mm format so I bought a slide scanner. I found the information on convert slides .com was quite helpful. And they were

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Jan 2, 2010, My Childhood - The Importance of My Mom

The memories in my childhood are of how well my mom took care of me and taught me right from wrong. She stuck by me and was there for me. She took me

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Dec 18, 2009, One of Our Favorite Christmas Traditions

One of our favorite Christmas Traditions is to write down the main events in our family history from the previous year. We make sure to include

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Dec 16, 2009, How to Enjoy Christmas!

We always celebrate Christmas, like many people, with a big roast dinner. As my mum was a vegetarian, we always cook a nut roast (as well as organic,

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Dec 16, 2009, Christmas tree.

Every year my dad and his friend would go out to the woods in Colorado Springs where I lived for 10 years, and they would bring back the biggest trees

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Dec 15, 2009, Reading of the Christmas Stories

Gosh, many of my family's traditions sound very similar to yours, Michael, including the new Christmas pajamas, one that my daughters and I started in

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Dec 15, 2009, The Christmas I Lost Charlie Brown...

I was six or seven years old. Do youremember those old color forms? They are little plastic cutouts that you lick and stick on the background that is

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Dec 15, 2009, Christmas Tradition - Christmas Nativity Celebration

Our family recently added a new Christmas tradition, that being attending an annual community Christmas nativity display and celebration. The first

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Dec 12, 2009, Christmas Tradition and Songs for Christmas

What role does Christmas Music Play in Your Christmas Tradition

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Dec 11, 2009, Human Memory and Life Story Writing - Total Recall Book Review

An amazing book about fallible human memory and the possibilities that digital recording, digital storage and digital search bring to the human race.

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Dec 7, 2009, You As Family Historian

You, a family historian? Your descendants will someday number in the thousands! Will they know anything of you?

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Nov 27, 2009, My Preparation To Life From the Ghettos of Chicago!

To all who reads this little story. This is part of the reason I am having a Happy Thanksgiving. This is what I am thankful for! I used my copy of

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Nov 25, 2009, Thanksgiving Traditions and Memories

Thanksgiving traditions from my childhod are very cherished memories. What does your family do for Thanksgiving celebrations?

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Nov 22, 2009, Touching Story That'll Make You Cry

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

Click Here to Listen

Click for more info

Nov 14, 2009, Memories: Driver's License and Fatherly Advice

“If you are going to apply for a driver’s license, make it a Professional one, not the non-Pro. That way, you won’t need to apply again if you need a

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Oct 28, 2009, Remembering My Grandmother

As a young teenager my aging grandmother who raised me seemed so old to me, and I would often worry about her leaving me some day. She did leave me

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Oct 28, 2009, Reconnecting....with my God.

This happened about 10 years back. It was a very sad and desperate time in my life. My young niece was very sick, afflicted by SLE(lupus). For the

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Oct 22, 2009, Cherished Beautiful Times

Beautiful! It brought back memories of the home I lived in with my grandparents and remember each nook as if it was still there. I remember the doors

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Oct 22, 2009, Talking About Our Grandparents

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.

Here is the link again:

http://www.familyhistoryproducts.com/journal5

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Sep 23, 2009, How to Write a Biography, Write Personal Biography

Resources on How to Write a Biography or Record a Biography

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Sep 18, 2009, Professional Journal Writing, Professional Journal Article, Journal Software

How and Why of Professional Journal Writing, Professional Journal Article

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Sep 15, 2009, Teddy Roosevelt and Journal Writing

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.

Click to listen to this short life story interview

Aug 11, 2009, Convert 35mm Slides to Digital and Preserve Your Family Photos

Converting 35mm Slides to Digital Images is an Important Part of Preserving Your Family History

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Jun 19, 2009, Father and Son

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."

Also be sure to visit my Father'sDay Poem page:

http://www.familyhistoryproducts.com/fathers-day-poem.html

Click for more info

Jun 19, 2009, My Grandfather

On my 32nd birthday I went to visit my native place. My grand father was still alive and I was always very fond of him. He was the person who taught

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Jun 10, 2009, Family Reunion Activities - Family Reunion Game Ideas that Spotlight Family History and Inspire Family Unity

When planning family reunion activities, don't forget to include games and activities that help share family memories, genealogy and family heritage

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Jun 9, 2009, A Printable Family Calendar - A Great Father's Day Gift?

Create amazing printable family calendar and share family history. Insert pictures, family events and facts...and print monthly calendars for years to come

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Jun 8, 2009, Family Traditions Grow Lasting Memories

Kristen Shamus wrote a beautiful article, in The Detroit Free Press over the weekend.

It was about her memories of planting flowers with her grandmother and mother.

In the article she said "Seeing my older daughter and my mother in the garden, creating their own memories, brought tears to my eyes on Sunday -- and left me with a feeling that we'd come full circle."

One other note from the article that really hit home, for me was

"There's something to be said for feeling a connection to relatives long gone through the things we have in common, despite the din of modern-day life."

Hope you enjoy the article and if you have some time, please be sure to visit my Family Tradition page:

http://www.familyhistoryproducts.com/family-tradition-ideas.html

Click for more info

May 27, 2009, Fathers Day Poem, Fathers Day 2009, Story for Fathers Day 2009

A Fathers Day poem entitled

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May 26, 2009, New Article: How to Use Writing Your Autobiography to Help You Better Understand Yourself

For most of us, all traces of our lives are forgotten within three generations of our passing.

Writing about your own life is enjoyable, cathartic, and maddening at times but in the end it can bring us some understanding and peace.

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May 24, 2009, Quotes on Memories: The Past

Here is a quote that I really like: Dont let the past ruin what you have got today!

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Apr 22, 2009, ....All My Pics Are Gone!

I just received a email from a friend, telling me that her apartment caught fire and that she lost everything.

She and her baby are okay, but she lost her pictures. That is very tragic. Here is part of her email.

"everyone is okay...72 units went down. Ours was on the top right in the middle of the flames so we don't have anything left. Luckily I have insurance and they are giving me moola..just sucks cause all my pics are gone!!"

------

Wow, 72 units. I think it is safe to say that she isn't the only one that lost family photos.

My advice is to spend a little time each week doing something to preserve your photos.

I try to do something, in this regard, every Sunday afternoon.

Upload them to photo websites, make copies on a disk, and/or send extra copies to family, etc.

Do whatever it takes!

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Apr 21, 2009, Write an autobiography, writing an autobiography, familyhistory, lifestory, LDS

Write an Autobiography with our Downloadable Workbook; Nearly 900 questions, lists, activities etc

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Apr 15, 2009, Another Amateur Photographer with Tons of 35mm Slides.

My only worry using a web based service to back up my digital images, is this: What happens, especially in this economy, if the web service decides

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Apr 11, 2009, Our Past Experiences and Those of our Forebears.

I’m an only child as was my dad, but his mother came from a large family. A couple of years ago, a second cousin of my father decided to put together

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Apr 11, 2009, Personal Journaling - Journaling Life

Personal Journaling is Just One of Three Things We Leave our Kids

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Apr 5, 2009, How to Get A Reluctant Relative to Talk

What do you do when you have a parent or grandparent that is less than thrilled about talking about their life story?

The best tip that I can give is to ask them to talk about somebody else in thefamily.

So instead of asking your elderly mother "Tell me, mom, about you when you were going up", instead ask them to talk about memories that they have of you or somebody else in the family.

This takes the spotlight off of theshy or reluctant relative.

"Mom, how did grandpa and grandma meet?"

"Mom, Why is aunt Edna so afraid of the water?"

"Dad, what kind of jobs did grandpa have, over his lifetime?"

"Dad, whatever happened to that old Chevy we owned when I was real young?"

Get them talking about other membersof the family, and the "old days" in general, stories about their life will surely follow.

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Mar 23, 2009, Family Stories are Vitally Important to Your Kids

Your kid's ability to retell family stories makes a difference

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