How to Capture Family History for Future Generations

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we explore the power of storytelling and how sharing your journey can create a lasting impact. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into a topic that’s both deeply personal and universally important: how to capture family history for future generations.

Think about this—how much do you really know about your grandparents’ lives? Your great-grandparents? Their struggles, their triumphs, their everyday routines?
For many of us, those details fade with time, simply because no one wrote them down. But imagine if they had. Imagine holding a book filled with their words, their voices, their memories.

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Transcript

Don: 0:12

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we explore the power of storytelling and how sharing your journey can create a lasting impact. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into a topic that’s both deeply personal and universally important: how to capture family history for future generations. Think about this: how much do you really know about your grandparents’ lives? Your great-grandparents? Their struggles, their triumphs, their everyday routines? For many of us, those details fade with time, simply because no one wrote them down. But imagine if they had. Imagine holding a book filled with their words, their voices, their memories. That’s what we’re going to talk about today: how to preserve the stories of our families before they’re lost to time. Whether you want to write a full family memoir or simply collect stories in a way that’s meaningful, this episode will give you practical steps to ensure that your family history is preserved. Let’s get started.""We often think history is found in textbooks, but the truth is, some of the most valuable history is right in our own families. It’s in the stories our elders tell, in the traditions we pass down, in the lessons learned through generations. The problem is, we assume these stories will always be there. We think,'I’ll ask Grandma about her childhood someday.' But then one day, someday is gone. I once worked with a man who regretted never asking his father about his time in the military. After his father passed, he found a box of old letters: but they were just fragments of a bigger story he’d never get to hear firsthand. That’s why capturing family history matters. It’s not just about preserving names and dates: it’s about honoring lives lived. And the good news? You don’t have to be a professional historian to do it. You just need curiosity, a willingness to listen, and a plan to capture what you learn.""So, where do you begin? The best place is with the storytellers themselves: your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, even cousins. Every person in your family holds a different piece of the puzzle. If you’re unsure how to start, try these simple steps: Make a list of family members to interview. Start with the oldest generation, but don’t forget to include others: sometimes the best stories come from unexpected places. Set up casual conversations. You don’t need a formal interview. A phone call, a family dinner, or even a road trip can be the perfect setting to get people talking. Ask open-ended questions. Instead of'Did you like school?' try'Tell me about a teacher who made an impact on you.' The best stories come when people feel free to reminisce. And here’s a pro tip: keep a record of everything. Whether it’s a voice memo on your phone, a handwritten notebook, or even a video, capturing these stories in their own words is priceless. Their voice, their laughter, the way they tell a story: that’s something you’ll cherish forever.""Sometimes, the best family stories don’t come from direct questions: they come from the little details that spark memories. Here are some powerful questions to help uncover those moments: Early Life: What was your childhood home like? What were some of your favorite traditions growing up? Family Relationships: How did you meet your spouse? What’s a funny or memorable story about our family? Big Life Events: What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? What’s a decision you made that changed your life? Cultural Historical Events: What world events do you remember most vividly? How did life change during difficult times, like wars or economic struggles? These questions don’t just reveal facts: they bring stories to life. And when you let someone speak freely, you might be surprised by the incredible memories they share.""Once you’ve gathered stories, what’s next? Organizing them in a way that makes sense for future generations. Here are some ways to preserve family history in a meaningful way: Create a Written Family Archive. Write down stories in a digital document, a physical journal, or even a scrapbook. Compile an Audio or Video Documentary. If you’ve recorded conversations, compile them into a digital collection: something future generations can watch or listen to. Make a Family Tree with Stories. Instead of just names and dates, include anecdotes about each person: what they did, what they loved, what made them unique. Publish a Family Memoir. If you have enough material, consider writing a book that compiles the history of your family. It doesn’t have to be a bestseller: it just has to be something your family can hold onto for generations. One storyteller I worked with put together a simple binder with family photos, handwritten letters, and a few key stories from each generation. Years later, it became the most cherished item passed down in the family.""Capturing family history isn’t just about looking back—it’s also about keeping the tradition alive. If you want future generations to continue telling stories, make it part of your family culture: At family gatherings, encourage storytelling time: ask elders to share a favorite memory. Create a'Legacy Journal' where different family members add their stories over time. Pass down letters, journals, and keepsakes with notes explaining their significance. The key is to make storytelling part of your family’s identity. If you do that, the history won’t fade: it will grow, evolve, and continue to be passed down.""As we wrap up today’s episode, I want to leave you with this thought: your family’s history is more than just a collection of names and dates. It’s a story, one that deserves to be told, remembered, and passed on. So here’s my challenge for you: Reach out to an elder in your family this week. Ask them about their life. Listen. Write down a memory from your own life that you’d want future generations to know. Because if we don’t capture these stories now, they might be lost forever. And every family: including yours: has a legacy worth preserving. If today’s episode inspired you, I’d love to hear from you. Connect with me on social media or visit my website. And if you want a step-by-step guide to capturing your family’s history, check out my book, The Legacy Project: A Guide to Sharing Your Story. Thank you for joining me on The Legacy Project Podcast. Your family’s story matters. Start writing, start sharing, and leave your mark. I’ll see you next time."