Few things are more important in life than family. They’re the ones who pick you up when you’re down, support you through times of sorrow and joy, and always love you no matter what. They shape your heart and make you the person you are today. The memories you hold together will live in your heart and mind forever, but they may deteriorate as future generations come and go. These tips for preserving your family history will help you establish a family legacy that future generations can look back on with fondness for many years to come.
Compile family photos
People say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this sentiment is certainly true when it comes to family photographs. Therefore, one of the best tips for preserving your family history is to compile all your family photos in one central location. Family members may be strewn across the country, and photos may be stored in a variety of different albums, scrapbooks, and frames—the best way to compile your photos is on a digital storage site. Digitizing your physical photos will not only protect them against damage and aging, but also allow you and other family members to view and access them from virtually any location. Family members will be able to upload their own digitized photos to the shared storage site, which will help keep everything in one secure location. Photos housed in a digital storage site are also easier to label and sort; organizing photos in chronological order will allow future generations to access the photos more easily.
Interview family members
Nobody knows your family history better than your family members. Set aside some time to interview members of your family and to document their version of your family history and ancestry. They’ll be able to provide more concrete facts and dates regarding your family history as well as provide deeper insight into the personalities of individual family members. These stories will far surpass anything you may discover in public records or ancestral DNA tests. You may even uncover long-held family secrets or learn that your great-uncle was once best friends with a celebrity.
Create a recipe book
Food plays a larger part in family history than many people realize. Families often gather around the dinner table to eat, drink, and be merry, and some of the most beautiful memories are made during these moments. Creating a family recipe book is a great way to memorialize these moments and the meals that inspired them. For a more personal touch, consider contacting your family members and asking them to contribute a handwritten recipe for your book. As time goes on, you’ll be able to look back on these mealtime memories with fondness and pass the gift of food to your children and grandchildren.
