Preserving Family Memories

Why I help families with cherished elders to capture and preserve their stories

Sometimes I think I have the best job in the world.  My job is to listen and help people (generally elders) to tell their stories, to reflect on their memories and to recall the moments, the events, the people and the places that have shaped their lives.  Oh, and also to press record to make sure those memories are captured for others to enjoy.

I love helping my storytellers to tell their stories.  They tell me not only that it is not only a lot of fun, but also how validating and cathartic it is to be listened to, really listened to, and to simply reflect and recall.

Just as important is the joy and comfort that it brings families to know that their family stories, their legacy can be preserved so that children, grandchildren and future grandchildren can know, enjoy and feel pride in their family identity.

I should backtrack, my name is Alice, and I set up The Story Keepers a couple of years ago to help elders record life stories. I start with an informal interview, which I film or record. I ask questions and use gentle prompts to help storytellers to tell their stories. I then create Life Story films or books or audio memoirs that storytellers can share with family and friends.  I keep my prices super reasonable, as I believe everyone should be able to preserve their stories.

Sometimes, I am contacted by adult children who would love for their parents to record their stories, but plans are derailed by reluctant storytellers who are not convinced by the whole idea, so I have a few thoughts and ideas on this to share.

Recently, I was contacted by a chap wishing to record his dad's story. The project started slowly as his dad was reluctant. In this case, we did go ahead, we recorded some beautiful stories. Afterwards, his son said to me 'You know, in the end, dad loved talking to you about his memories. It took some convincing but he really enjoyed himself. Now, he is delighted that he did it.'

‘What was it that convinced him to do it?’ I asked. 'His grandchildren' was the reply. Specifically, one granddaughter, who told him she would love him to tell his stories and have them recorded, and that was what this particular grandad needed to hear. So, in this case, getting the whole family on board was very helpful.

Others are reluctant as they feel that they have nothing much to say, no really good stories. This is a tough one, and very common, but the fact is it just isn’t really relevant. Helping storytellers to share their personal testimonies, big or small, is what I do, what I trained to do, and it is what I am good at. Big juicy stories are great of course they are, but each storyteller will have lived through different times, experienced different social norms,  and experienced unique moments and challenges.  I help them to recall and share stories, memories, ideas, and thoughts, and I know that everyone has a story that is worth sharing. After all, they are your stories, they are important.

Talking of me, it really is quite an ask for someone to trust me with their stories and memories, I totally understand why there might be doubt or unease. For this reason, I love to meet and chat with potential storytellers and unsure storytellers before any commitment has been made, so they can decide if they can trust me, if they might enjoy the process or if I am just going to be too annoying!

It might also be helpful to point the reluctant storyteller, to my website. Here potential storytellers can see and hear a few examples of films and audios that I have done before and maybe read some testimonials. They can also see me, and see who they may be talking to!

Alice