Hi Moms -
I saw a piece on the news that gave me this idea. Unfortunately I don't remember all the details. I want to interview and help my husband's grandma write her life story. Has anyone done this? Is there some sort of journal that has questions and discussion ideas? I would like to do a voice recording of this as well as a written version. Any ideas or advice are welcome.
Thanks,
Rye
I either saw or read something about this also. I think they suggested video recording the interview. It would be nice to be able to watch her tell her stories as well as make it easier for you to write down what she has said. What a great idea.
There is a book that can guide you but I don't know the name of it. I was at Borders one day and a woman was asking for it. The person at the store was looking it up and helped her get it. According to what the person read in the computer, it has questions and tips as well as a section that yuou can jot things down. it was also supposed to have something about how to create a book and album.
I just ordered a copy of "Grandma, Do You Remember When..." from Amazon, as well as the one for a grandfather, and plan to give them to my parents for Christmas. It got many good reviews, but it might be worth looking at some at a bookstore to find one that best meets your needs. They are often referred to as a keepsake or guided journal. I think this is a fantastic idea to help preserve stories and memories.
The Barnes and Noble journal section has some that are called "My Life" or something like that and another with a name similar to 221 questions about me. Both have pages and pages of questions. I am getting it for my mom for Christmas (just waiting for a coupon!)
Hi,
Just got a catalog for Red Envelope and there is a book called The Story of a Lifetime.
Preserve memories for the next generation using our leather, heavy-bound book. The pages pose questions such as "What do you feel has been your purpose in life?" and "Is there any particular incident in your life that changed everything?" From the simple to the provocative, questions will help chronicle college, careers, leaving home, parental relationships, raising kids, traditions and milestones. A great tool for self-discovery and reflection, the memoir is appropriate for all who want to learn more about themselves and pass along their discoveries.
I don't have any advice on how to do this but just wanted to say don't forget to get any special recipes that she makes. We didn't do this with my grandmother as I thought my mom and aunts would've already had her recipes. Well, they didn't. So her recipes are forever lost. I think this is such as great idea, what a precious piece of family history =)
There was a piece in Real Simple magazine in 2005. I have the scanned copy buy am not able to cut/paste it. If you like, I am happy to email the *.pdf file to you. The article had interview questions. I went through them with my mom during one of her visits. It was really an awesome experience and a cherished legacy.
There are a lot of options these days for online services and web pages that can help you, as well as books. My husband and I did a book for my grandmother's 90th birthday about 15 years ago, and we had to do all of it ourselves using graphics software, and have it printed by a printer - hours and hours and hours of work! Any of the photo services (shutterfly, snapfish) have books you can do with photos and text, that might be a place to start looking.
You also might look into the Story Corps project, for audio recording. http://www.storycorps.org/
My friend has a business that specializes in making these types of things, her website is www.mystorykeepers.com . Great idea, hope this helps!
My family has used To Our Children's Children by Bob Greene. I think he has one where you can write your answers right in the book. What I did, for my in-laws and parents was give them a journal along with the the book (mine did not have an area to write stories in). We also did this with my grandmother before she passed away, but we tape recorded it - which I highly recommend - because it was too difficult for her to write. It's really nice to go back and listen to it now, all of her grandchildren and some great-grandchildren took turns "interviewing" her. It really is a special way to help pass on stories that may have been forgotten or not asked. oh, I bought mine on Amazon, but I know Borders has it too.
