Every family has stories that are only told out loud: how grandparents met, what life was like in the old house, the recipe nobody wrote down. When those storytellers are gone, the stories often go with them. A family memory journal keeps them for the next generation.
Interview your relatives
Sit down with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and ask about their lives. Record the conversation or take notes, then write it up in your journal. Some good questions:
- Where did you grow up, and what was your home like?
- What was school like?
- How did you meet your partner?
- What was your first job?
- What do you remember about your own grandparents?
Label old photos
Boxes of old photos lose their meaning when nobody remembers who's in them. Scan or photograph them, add them to journal entries, and write down who, where, when and any story behind them.
Record traditions and recipes
Write down family recipes, holiday traditions, sayings and in-jokes. Include the stories behind them: who started the tradition, and why.
Write your own story too
Your own memories are family history for the people who come after you. Write about your childhood, important moments and what you've learned.
Organise as you go
Keep a folder for each branch of the family or each person. It makes stories easy to find and to add to over time.
Share when you're ready
When a story is ready, share it with relatives by email or a link, while the rest of your journal stays private. Private Journal Pro stores your stories and photos online, so they're safe from lost notebooks and failing hard drives. Create your free account.