Reproducing family photos on fabric, generally with the computer and printer nowadays, although some people still like to make sun prints and similar applications.

Gathering fabrics used in clothing worn by family members, either from many or just one person.  Among these are t-shirts that appeal to a particular family member.

Using designs that connect with a person’s interest, hobby or occupation.  My daughter made a quilt for her young son with blocks of different trucks during his truck stage.

Tracing each family member’s hand and appliquing it to a quilt.  Each person might sign his/her hand.  My daughter did this for her family and added birth dates to the hands.

For a wall quilt, attach three dimensional objects associated with the person or family’s life.

What do you do for family memory quilts?

(Personal History image at Amazon)

Post from: Blisstree

Various Types of Family History Quilts

Image: sxc.hu

How many of us wish the same…that we’d recorded stories and memories of parents, grandparents and other relatives who are no longer here to tell us about our heritage?  Or we wish we’d at least jotted down some notes as they told stories.

These family stories are precious.  When we hear parents and grandparents telling them, we think we’ll always remember.  Or we may even get tired of hearing them, so tune the person out.

Then, years later, we wish we could recall the details.

It isn’t always convenient to record while someone is talking or it makes them uncomfortable.  At least jot down some notes and record the details.  Sometimes you can even get them to write down their memories, as I did with my dad and aunt.

My mom enjoyed my “interviewing” her as I did other people in my work as a newspaper reporter.  “Are you going to interview me now?” she asked, as we settled at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.

Keep a record of these memories, even when you think you’ll never forget the endless tales of family members. 

Also, record your own memories! 

 ”Mom, you spend so much time on family history but don’t write down your own memories for us,” my daughter commented.  So I’m starting to record mine, too.

Post from: Blisstree

Recording Family Memories

Image: sxc.hu

I’ve taught scrapbooking and family history activities at a local nursing home and enjoyed this experience as much as the patients seemed to.

We made a scrapbook with a page for each resident who attended the sessions.  Using photos taken by the nursing home staff over a period of time, an activity coordinator and I arranged the pictures, chatted with the residents about them, and encouraged each patient to choose colors and embellishments.  Each did as much or as little as they could.

We kept the procedure very simple. using materials I compiled.  I also provided a family history questionnaire that we filled out with the patients as they finished the scrapbooking page.  They really enjoyed chatting about the memories these questions evoked.

The scrapbook we produced was kept at the nursing home, as something the residents could look at again and again.

Does anyone have similar experiences they would like to share?

(I do put together the supplies for these scrapbooking and family histories, along with instructions, so others, in their home or in nursing homes, can become involved in activities of their own.)

Post from: Blisstree

Scrapbooking with Alzheimer’s Patients

You can now search the entire records for all First World War servicemen. This is available online for free. If you are researching family history this is an invaluable research tool. I tried it out and located my grandfather’s details. I found the website quite fascinating. I hope you find this useful.

Heather
Journaling Tools – Go deeper and reach higher with hundreds of journal writing resources.

Life Journal Software

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A Gift to the Nation