November 22, 2006
Preserving Current Family History Program
Kathy Poston - A-W Rotary Member
Attica-Williamsport Rotarian Kathy Poston provided the November 22, 2006 program about preserving your current family history.
While transcribing her grandfather’s WW2 letters, Kathy found she had hundreds of questions she wished she had asked while her grandfather and grandmother were alive. This reflection leads to her current project of preserving family history “now”.
This now concept stemmed from Kathy’s other passion, genealogy. When one compiles ancestral genealogy, especially information of ancestors not known, one is left with just the bare facts: birth, death and marriage dates. If one is lucky, information on careers, lifestyles and daily lives are the jackpots of information most genealogists only dream about. As the family genealogist, Kathy felt the need to add that “personal touch” to her research. The idea was to present first hand accounts of family information provided by the actual people involved. Compile the information now before it is lost later.
Armed with modern technology, Kathy began an e-mail campaign with her family members. She assigned each member with a personal question to answer. Each member was encouraged to respond as they felt fit; a short paragraph or a long dissertation. Kathy’s father was the first to respond and in a rather lengthy but concise response, Kathy learned her father met her mom at a teen dance club popular in the 1950’s. After a first date to see Elvis Presley in “Jail House Rock”, Kathy’s parents began dating off an on for a few years. During a phone conversation on New Year’s Eve in 1960, both declared their love for each other and they began their engaged life. The e-mail account of the first meeting, the dating and engagement process was a wonderful, personal insight to the man and woman Kathy calls parents. While Kathy knew these basic facts about her parents, the personal account by her father presents a more dynamic story.
Kathy also shared additional ways others can preserve family memories without it being overwhelming or painful. Family Christmas letters while for most people are met with groans each holiday season, are a great way to summarize the year in a short but insightful way. Birthday letters are another way family stories and information can be preserved with a once a year commitment. Kathy shared how every year, on the day or the week of her children’s birthdays, she devotes time to reflect on the past year, take notes and write a letter to her daughters. Her oldest has twelve letters so far in her folder; the twins are working on nine each.
Lastly, Kathy emphasized that this preservation of current “now” history should be fun. Imagine the delight of one’s grandchildren or great-grandchildren reading an account of your engagement, birth of a child, an important event (9-11!) and so on. All were encouraged to get out their pens and paper and begin to write their stories.
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Apples For The Teachers
Thanks to all the volunteers who help distribute the apples and note pads as a way to thank the teachers again this year
