compile a family history

—but I did gather some significant stories from members of my family and put them together into books. I got pictures of my parents’ first home, the school where my dad taught, and some other significant things; tucked in some recipes from my Mom and one from my Dad; all the important dates; and a few other little tidbits. It isn’t complete, but it is a little snapshot of who we were when we kids were growing up.

just bought a set of mini dv tapes on ebay
to go with the packed cameras
so i can tape myself
pinching my brother
two weeks from now

i’m ready to try this again.

i head to CA in two weeks—i’ve already packed my video camera and charger, my list of interview questions. i have a new compact-flash card for the digital camera, and rolls of film stockpiled and waiting to be used up in my film slr.

it’s a start. a re-start, but whatever. the great thing about histories is that it’s okay if you pick them up late. you almost can’t help it.

I have got back ten generations and discovered new living relatives, some of whom have been more of a blessing than I could ever have imagined, some who don’t seem to want to know.

This was worth doing but caused some domestic aggravation (because of my obsessive tendencies I guess).

I could say that I’ve reached this goal, but I still have more I want to do.

My dad was the president of the South Shore Geneological Society and before that he traced part of my family back as far at William the Conqueror (1066), he even has a couple of entries in the 900’s but they are a little vague. I have a lot of fairly famous historic ancestors so detailed stories about them have been pretty easy to obtain. Newer ancestors fascinate me too…my favorite story is about my great grandfather who was the 1st police chief in Hanson, my home town. During the Prohibition he broke up a moonshine still and confiscated the goods. He was able to run his police car on the moonshine all winter! And even better, one of the crates the moonshine was kept in (we have a newspaper picture of it) came to become my toybox as a child. Now I just need to have a child to give it to. Get your grandparents on tape, if its too late for that then record your parents. They may think its silly and not want to do it but do it while you still can. Ask family members for copies of photographs of their parents and grandparents. Get all those old photos labeled before there is noone alive who can tell you whos in the pictures. And if you need more tips to hunt down your past feel free to ask me!