BLOG.HISTORYSMITHS.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on How a special event introduced me to my grandfather

History Smiths Blog — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:09:11 GMT

Absolutely! This is great fodder for a Part II! Thanks, Gordon.

Comment on How a special event introduced me to my grandfather

Gordon Gibson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:47:30 GMT

Great story, Bonnie.

I'd just expand on it by reminding your readers that there are many kinds of "veterans." Personally I'm familiar with veterans of the civil rights movement. But there are police and fire department veterans. There are Peace Corps veterans. I am sure a business could find a veteran typology that appealed and/or was appropriate to them and earn a lot of good will for supporting reunions, helping collect stories, and reaching out to the families of those veterans.

And, of course, this story is a reminder to think about what your ancestors were veterans of and to personally look for relevant events, stories, publications, and organizations. You never know what you will learn about your own family history.

Comment on Telling and saving family stories during the holidays

History Smiths Blog — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 01:42:34 GMT

Gordon,

Thanks so much for this message! I've received an incredible amount of feedback on my article. I especially love the "I don't need any more stuff"angle. I mean, really. Who does?

As for media, the only sure thing is paper!!!

Thanks again. Great stuff here.

Bonnie

Comment on Telling and saving family stories during the holidays

Gordon Gibson — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:19:42 GMT

Ever since we have been grandparents I have written something about our family history for our grandchildren. Of course a one month old grandson did not care about what his grandfather wrote! But at one month he really didn't care about anything he was given that Christmas. My impression is that the grandchildren (and their parents) have come to cherish these stories, and I know that I have enjoyed writing them.

Like you (and virtually everyone I know) I wish that I had made recordings or notes about stories, songs, and other sharings by parents, grandparents, and other family members. I did sit down with my mother (with a tape recorder off to one side) and get her to tell me (us) stories about her childhood, how she and my father met, and so on. It's wonderful to have those in her voice. I made copies of the tape for our children. And it would be wise to transcribe such a recording, because in 50 years paper will still be readable, but cassette tape players will be hard to come by.

Also, like many people, I really don't need more "stuff" as holiday presents. For several years, especially while my mother-in-law, a wonderful person and writer, was still alive, I asked family members to give me family stories rather than things for Christmas.