A friend from high school asked me how many class periods we had “back in the day.” My memory was not clear. Funny thing was “back in the day” I thought that was something I would never forget.
It’s a trivial detail, but it reminded me that the time to write down what we remember is now, not later. That’s true for genealogy conclusions we reach, things we remember about our grandparents or other relatives, and things we remember about our own lives.
Memories fade.
Details do matter. They help us to flesh out the lives of our ancestors and of ourselves. My friend Joe wanted the detail for a short story he was writing and he wanted the details right. Genealogists want the same thing. In fact this friend, who is not a genealogist, read my first Genealogy Tip of the Day book to snag errors and statements that weren’t quite clear–which was a great help. It always helps to have someone read what you have written, even if they aren’t a genealogist.
Joe writes fantasy fiction based in the relatively recent past and sometimes his memory of our hometown isn’t always perfect either. I’ve reminded him a time of two of things he could not remember and even made him aware of local newspapers available online for free. You can visit Joe’s author page on Amazon.com and learn more about his work.
But do write down your own memories and anything else you might forget because sooner or later you will forget.
One response
Yes, one day you WILL forget. I visited my maternal grandparents for two weeks each summer, even when I was in high school. Grandma would tell the same stories about her childhood, her family and such over and over. I must have heard the same stories every year. Sometimes more than once in a day. I thought there was no way I could ever forget. Now, I’m a genealogist and wish I could recall in more detail many of the stories she told. I just don’t. Sadly, she passed away in 1992, or was it 1993? Good thing that Is written down!