Photo Preservation and Genealogy Blog

Many are aware of the growing interest in genealogy. But in such a high speed, lifestyle, most of us are not thinking about how we can be passing on important pieces of family heritage while creating great activities for our kids, whether young or old. Often, what is really missing in genealogy research is pictures. With today’s technology, we have the ability to preserve not only our newer photos but the older photos that we have in our possession.  These photos and the stories that go with them are our gift to future generations. People think of genealogy as searching for the past, but what about what you can give to your children’s children?

I would like to touch upon a few of the many reasons that our family heritage is important. When children discover who and where they come from, it helps them forge a connection not only with their family but also with the world. They’re better able to see their place in the world.” ¹.  It’s a way to bring families together or it can help people understand physical and medical characteristics. It can provide an important tool for family bonding.

There are some simple ways to create some wonderful things to do with your family, young and old, while preserving your heritage. Start with what you have. Do you have photos of your grandparents, Aunts and Uncles? Buy a large pack of colored sticky notes and a pen. Gather everyone around the table and talk about your memories. Let the family know that everyone can participate in the project to preserve these memories. While righting names and dates on the sticky’s that will be attached to the back of the photo, write a sentence about the photo. “Country cabin fun-Dad even let me choose the color for the rowboat”. If you have kids participating, they will have questions, if older family members are present, they have their memories to contribute.  Do this in small intervals and over time, there will be a lot of information that can then be put into a book. 

I’ve discussed this before, http://www.theheritagephotosolution.com/photo-organizing-and-archiving-blog/, but my many years as a computer tech and digital artist has not converted me into a believer that everything should be saved only in digital format. But, to get back to the main point, start somewhere in documenting the pictures you have. Before you know it, there will be a lot of very valuable information.

If you would like to see some options for passing on your wonderful photos and memories, go to www.thejoyofstorybooks.com 

1. 1. Kindergarten Dad by Tony Montemayor