Family History

I have mentioned many times before on this blog that my favorite form of family history is footage. Memory boxes and trunks are also very cool if you have some information behind what you are handling. This blog is going to be a wonderful peice of family history as I make it into a book every year. Pedigree charts just don't do it for me, or geaneology in other words, without more information and stories to really get to know the people, names and dates mean nothing. That's why I love footage so much, I can see my ancestors walking, talking and they come alive of course, whereas when you just see a picture or their name in print, it just doesn't compare, esp. the pictures of those days when you really couldn't smile or move. One day we are going to have moving pictures, like in Harry Potter.

As my part of family History I try to take plenty of quality footage, and I think about the future when I take it, sometimes we think we're getting the goods but when we watch it years later it moves too quickly, I will move slower sometimes and leave the camera on a person a little longer so people in the future can really SEE them. They might not have had the chance to meet this person...I also try and film nothing, I mean you know it's great to get all the occasions, events, ect. but it's also just as great to get candid real moments that may seem boring now but will be a treasure in the future, because in the future it will be different. Those boring things will become facinating. I also, aside from filming try to really make an effort on this blog (it's not hard for me to do that) and I think anyone who is not doing a blog is really missing out on a chance to do some major family history. I will also do scrapbooking, but will start that sometime in the future when I have more time, money, and space to do it. For now I keep all my pictures dated and in order filed ready to go.

My uncle Paul has recently visited my Grandma Willard and gotten her to record some stories and memories of her life, especially as a kid. I have just finished them and it was so cool to read them. I can't wait to read them for a family night when my kids are older. I learned some things about my grandma and after I was finishing the last part I knew the names of her parents and siblings mostly. I wish she would give more stories. I'm glad I at least have what I do. It was interesting to find a couple names that I have in mind for my kids that are actual relatives of mine...

I have been planning for some time to interview my grandparents on the other side (Packard) together at their house. I need to organize questions and such for our California trip this late summer and will ask my grandma if they'll have a time to sit and do that. I'll then come back home and put it on DVD. I want my kids to know how amazing they are, esp. my grandma. She's one of my favorite people. I love watching the footage of my mom and grandparents a lot younger, and growing up and hope my kids gain the same love.

For anyone that has those stories of Grandma Willard, get reading them. They are great!!