One of my new year's resolutions this year was to get back into my family history research. Since Miles was born, it's been way on the back burner. But, as part of that resolution, I've decided to start writing down my personal history. In the past several years, I've discovered a passion within me for all things family history, and how I wish I had, at the very least, a synopsis of the lives of any or all of my ancestors. I've gathered little pieces of some of their lives from new-found relatives and old and new research. I've gleaned details about my more recent ancestors from those who still remember them, but how wonderful it would be to have something in their own hand to read!I hope that one day, my story will be valuable to someone, even if it's only my own children. I already have journals which piece together my life over the years, but I'm more interested in recording the memories I have of my childhood, my family, my upbringing, etc., from this point in my life. This is obviously a life-long pursuit, and my story won't be very long, since I'm not even 30 yet (hehee), but I might as well start now, while my brain is fresh and full. (I'm not counting my blog.)
Of the value of journal keeping, President Spencer W. Kimball (of the LDS Church) wrote:
“A journal is the literature of superiority. Each individual can become superior in his own humble life.
“What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?
“Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity” (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Oct. 1975, p. 5. Emphasis added).
Why don't you start your personal history, too?
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7 comments:
it is important and I've been after my family members to start writting things down. I have a collection of prompts - little questions that allow you to write small portions of it down at a time - perfect since we don't have hours of time a day to alot to such a task...but one question - why don't blogs count? If we are including the every-day happenings, recording dates, accomplishments and details of our lives, can't it count? After all, there is more detail of my life recorded within the archives of my blog than I have on countless ancestors. Help me feel that this daily writting is more than just a trend - it is to me!
Natalie: I think your blog and all blogs are valuable in their own way. I think you've chosen to use yours more as a journal than most people do, though. Blogs record details and emotions as things happen in your life, and that is very important in its own right. A written, or printed personal history, though, is different. Just as a diary or journal and a personal history are different things. Your life story is full of facts, dates, names and places, which, although they seem boring and unimportant to you (maybe because they are so contemporary to you) will be valuable to someone else one day. Something on paper is more tangible, pass-down-able, copy-able and more accessible to different types of people than a blog on a computer or cd. It's kind of like email vs. snail mail. Email is great for so many reasons, but you know better than most that nothing beats a real, hand-written letter. Also, a personal history that is not created for instant publication (like a blog is) may yield more private, thoughtful, and spiritual insight into your personality than something that is visible by complete strangers 24 hours a day. :) Don't fret, my dear. Your blog is great, I'm just saying, I don't think my blog fulfills my need to record my life story for my own family and posterity.
It's funny... I really wish I had journals of my ancestors... but I find it hard to keep my own. I get too caught up in how I think it will sound to other people when they read it. I have recently picked it up again, though. I love the book that is a compilation of Majorie Hinkley's letters. Makes me sad that lots of snail mail is a thing of the past!
Sounds like a great idea!
So what exactly makes a personal history different than a journal? How could I record my history? What types of things would be good to include? Natalie - would you be willing to share the prompts you have collected?
Sorry - I just have so many questions! Maybe I should look it all up on-line. Family History is just so new to me.
Gosh, it sounds like we could spend a whole Enrichment night discussing these things! I had the same questions as Natalie and Lindy. Your response to Natalie's quesions got me thinking.
Very cool Leslie! I'm still young too.. my life journals and happenings will be as long as yours, but what a great thing to start now! If we wait until we are 50 can you imagine how much we will REALLY miss?!
I really should get going on this. It's crazy a "stranger" can open one's eyes. Thanks!
a wonderful goal. I took a family history class at BYU but have been less than regular since with my work. thanks for reminding me of it's importance!
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