History in the Making

As some of you may or may not know, my mom is a genealogist. She researches family history (mainly our own but sometimes will help others). When she does our family research, it is not just about finding names and dates. She finds the stories, the news articles, the rumors and gossip, and more that makes our family history rich. So, for this Mother’s Day, I’d thought I’d honor my mom by creating a post about history and how important it is to pass it along.

We’ve all heard that “History is doomed to repeat itself”. Yes, this could very well be true but it is even more so true when you don’t know the past. History is so important, not just so we don’t repeat past mistakes, but also because it creates our future. If you don’t know where you have been then you don’t know where you are going. The stories among your family, among the community, and among your friends are important for so many reasons.

1. It is the heritage that shaped the world we live in today.
2. It helps to understand society and change.
3. It provides a sense of identity.
4. It inspires us and helps us to be better people.
5. It preserves stories.

When you don’t pass along the historical stories that make up a community or a family, then you are letting history die. Where do we go from there? We have some very interesting people in my family and my mom has found quite a few interesting stories in old newspapers, through word of mouth, and by talking to family members. Every time, she learns something new and puts together more pieces of our family’s puzzle.

When does history start? Now. With you and me. What we do today will be part of history in the future. It may not seem like we are making history in our day to day lives but it is our stories that shape future generations within our own families and communities.

So, share history and listen to history and repeat the stories you have heard about your history. You can do this through a manuscript or a book. You can record family gatherings to find out more about your own history. You can interview some of your ancestors (I know I wish I had) and record them. You can look up stories online or in old newspapers. You can ask long-standing residents of a community about their history and the area’s local history. You can go to historical events such as lectures, meetings, and gatherings. You can read about history, look at old photographs, and so much more. Don’t let history die with you. Get as much information as you can now and document it so it isn’t lost forever. And most importantly, share it. Stories are meant to be shared and enjoyed by everyone.