The holidays are coming up quickly! For many, that means extra time with friends, family, and loved ones. A great way to use this opportunity to learn more about your family history is by putting together a memory journal.
Memory journaling is simply recording the answers to several questions that are interesting or helpful. It is almost like writing a biography of the person that you are speaking with. However, it does not need to be too complicated. There are guided memory journals that you can purchase that might be called “Grandma’s Story” or something similar. These guided journals have a list of questions for you to ask and leave space for you to write out the answers. It doesn’t have to be formal though. You can use a blank journal or notebook to write out the questions and answers.
You can start with questions like:
- What was your most precious childhood possession?
- What nicknames were you given when you were younger?
- What is your favorite memory from high school?
- What is your earliest memory?
- What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Another way to get started is to grab some photos to talk about with your loved ones. As you go through the snapshots, get the story of each picture. You can put them together in a blank journal, notebook, or scrapbook for the family to cherish. Make decorating the pages a family activity! Now creating the book has become another memory to write about and share.
Your memory journal doesn’t even have to be a physical book, it can be digitally formatted. It can be easier to share this with family members living far away. Another plus of the electronic format is the use of video or audio recordings of the person telling the story. Gather all the photos, videos, and documents together in an electronic format to share with family members.
Whichever way you choose to format your memory journal, start today. Make it a fun holiday activity or monthly phone call. Our loved ones have lots to share with us, open the door, and allow them the time to do so.