Welcome to my world, Ed

Kathy is healing slowly from her broken leg. She gets around the house with a walker and is becoming more independent daily. The staples were removed today and she will start outpatient therapy next week. We took off the glass shower doors and hung curtain so she can get her mending leg in the shower and get seated on the shower chair. By next week she may even be able to shower herself. We pray for continued progress.

I’d like to get back to sharing thoughts from my book, “Eight Ways to Share Your Family History.”

“I wish I had more of my parents’ history,” is one comment heard countless times.

“How do I get my mom to tell me about her youth?”

“I’ll get around to writing our family history, but life is too busy right now.”

Have you ever said any of these things?

In my book you will find directions to using all of the following basic methods of recording your history. You can choose to write a story starting with a historical family member, or just your branch of the family tree. I chose to write an anecdotal book of my branch stories.

Another way to share history is through journaling. Include yours and other family members if they agree.

An oral history is another way. Collect tapes of as many family members as possible and put them into a treasure chest of family history tapes. You could add pictures to the oral history on CD’s or DVD’s.

There are many ways to visually share your history as well. Many families have videos, or movies taken through the years. I explain how to edit, combine and do a voice over so future generation also hear your voice as well as get a name of the people appearing in your visual history.

You can share the rich history found in boxes of old photos, photo albums, and through combined pictures. Guides for using these methods are covered in detail.

The other way to share your history is through memorabilia gathered in the family over several generations.

This week’s humor: BOB HOPE

ON HIS FAMILY'S EARLY POVERTY
'Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother.'
ON HIS SIX BROTHERS 'That's how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom.'
ON HIS EARLY FAILURES
'I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the stuff the audience threw at me.'

It nice chatting with you, God bless, Ed