Give 'em Something to Read About!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

WRITE IT DOWN! Ask your children what their favorite memory is and WRITE IT DOWN! Don't wait until both your memories fade and it's too late.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

WRITE IT DOWN! Ask your parents how they met. How long did they date before marrying? Did his parents like her and vice versa?

Thursday, April 29, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Did you ever have a stranger help you? When, how and under what circumstances?

Saturday, May 01, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! What did you think of the last book you read? Your descendants may just want to know. Start keeping a diary of book reviews.

Monday, May 10, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Have you ever been in a physical fight? Why, what lessons were learned from your experience? Your descendants want to know.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Find a recipe you like? Write it down! Not only that, but share it with others. I'm still searching for gma's lost recipes.

Monday, May 17, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Do you sing? What is your favorite song to sing? Find the lyrics and sheet music and save a copy for your descendants.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Quiz yourself. Without aid from a family tree, write down as many of your ancestors as you can. How'd you do?

Thursday, May 20, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Are you the family historian? Leave instructions in your will on who you trust to take responsibility for your work.

Friday, May 21, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Future generations want to know your political viewpoints. They should know abt. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and You!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Go through your address book and write down in the margins how each person is related to you. Reason to follow:

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Do your descendants a favor and get your COMPLETE military records from NARA. LABEL them w/ who inherits them when you die.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

WRITE IT DOWN! Are you crafty? Make sure you keep drawings or pictures of your creations for future generations.Better yet, keep a sample.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Start now. You won't have time if the unexpected happens. Think of your decendants & leave some type of record of your life.

Friday, September 02, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Make sure to answer the following on photos: Who? Where? When? Why/What?

Saturday, September 03, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! You don't have to finish your auto-biography in one night. Force yourself to do at least 5 minutes a day.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Always have a pen and paper when speaking on the phone. Take notes. Transcribe your notes in a journal ASAP.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Don't sit through hours of unidentified video or audio. Label all storage media with WHO? WHAT? WHY? WHEN? WHERE?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Share your pets! Let your descendants meet your furry and not so furry friends through stories. Don't forget the 5 W's!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! What were the make, model, & year of all your previous vehicles? Describe the who, what, why and when of the purchases/sales.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Now that you have your medical records, make a "medical journal" where you describe each medical event as you remember it.

Friday, November 25, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Don't forget to write down your memories of today ASAP while they are still fresh in your mind.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

WRITE IT DOWN! On pictures, remember your audience grows each generation. Decades from now people will ask, "Tricia who?" Use whole names!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! You'd be surprised at how many memories are lost to the recycle or trash bin. Print off or save your private email messages.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! If you don't have time to write your memories down, use a voice recorder to catch those "do you remember when" moments.

Saturday, September 08, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! When you do or say something that makes someone laugh, write it down. One day, your descendants can enjoy a good laugh too.

Sunday, October 07, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Have you changed your mind regarding some of the things you were adamant about? Explain. You might just change another mind.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Keep official evidence of where you've lived including proof of the timing. Trust me, it's harder to do years after the fact.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Improve your social skills and give your descendants something engaging to read. Learn the art of writing a personal letter.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! I always say I don't have a favorite this or that, but I recently discovered I do have some clear preferences. Do you?

Saturday, November 24, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! How many times have you found a drawing,letter or other creation & wondered when it was made? SIGN AND DATE your creations.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Teach your children cursive even if the schools do not. Original documents will be easier for them to decipher if they learn.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Maybe you'll never actually say the words out loud, but you can write them. Avoid confusion and label the pages (ie UNSPOKEN)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Give details of your interactions with people from your past: family, school friends, neighbors, brief acquaintances, etc.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Want to be heard? Avoid name calling, racial slurs,& placing blame. Instead, outline the problem and give possible solutions.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Also keep a journal of oft used initials. EPT PARR, AC Walker, HW Hawley are Elijah Posey Tipton, Allen Cross and Henry Weston

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Keep a journal of married names for reference. Mrs Hansford Hawley is the sister to Mrs. Lyman Brooks (Jane & Mary Maymon).

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! All research should be labeled clearly with WHO the research is about. Be consistent and label on the left margin w/ dark ink.

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! If you don't highlight your work, make sure you find a way to let future researchers know who/what your research is about.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Stop what you are doing and take a moment to write down a memory about one of your deceased family members. Share w/ famiily.

Sunday, December 09, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Places. Write down your memories of the places you've been. Detail your hometown and the changes that have been made.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! IMO At minimum, obits should list: DOB/DOD, FULL NAME (maiden too), parents, siblings, spouses, children, # of grandchildren

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! A better obit also includes residences, employment, memberships, marriage date, death dates of family, role in the community.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Can't afford a detailed obit in the newspaper? Do it online for free. There are memorial sites that allow you to post obits.

Friday, December 14, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Create historically accurate children's books from your genealogy. Start with a book all about them. Graduate to ancestors.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Now that you have your Baby Name Journal, write down your reasons behind each name. Are there ancestors with that name?

Sunday, December 16, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! You're going to be a parent someday. Write names you like down in a Baby Name Journal. Keep for your descendants to add to.

Monday, December 17, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Ideally, pictures help tell the story of your trips. If not, make a list of places, dates, and purpose of each trip.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Trouble with your autobiography? Put your photos in chronological order then use them to help you tell your life story.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Did you laugh yesterday? Remember why? If so, write it down so future generations can get a laugh too.

Friday, December 21, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Are there colloquialisms or passages in your journals that need more explanation? Elaborate/translate for future generations.

Monday, December 24, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Educate your descendants. In a letter, describe climate, political, entertainment, military and personal news of today.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Let them learn from your momentary lapses in judgement. Detail your mistakes and what you learned from the experiences.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Give your descendants a treat. While it's fresh in your memory, write down everything about your Christmas, incl. visitors.

Friday, December 28, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Describe the lessons you learned from your parents that you want to teach you own descendants. How were these lessons taught?

Sunday, December 30, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Google your emails/usernames to find and post updates to your old internet queries, especially if you have information to add.

Monday, December 31, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! Looking back, write down your successful New Years' resolutions. Why were you so successful? More tools for your descendants.

Monday, December 31, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN! You can't know if something you say is going to make a difference in someone's life. You never will if you don't SPEAK UP.

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Bucket list? When you're done, list the things you'll NEVER do. Explain why. It might influence your descendants' decisions.

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Bored? Watch/read those old movies, musicals, books, etc. Imagine your young descendants doing the same & give feedback.

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Expired! Before your social networking site archives and deletes old posts, be sure to make a backup. Save those emails too.

Thursday, January 03, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Keeping secrets from the genealogist? I laugh. Someone, someday will find them out. Better that the truth comes from you. ;)

Friday, January 04, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! If you are reminded of something previously long forgotten, take time to write it down. Who knows if you'll remember later.

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Print online correspondence and file it in folders labeled with the sender's name. Virtual folders work too, but make a backup.

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! So, you're not into genealogy...yet. Don't regret not asking when you had the chance. Learn from your parents and grandparents.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Speculation is what your descendants will do if they don't have details to go with those facts they find. Give them details.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Show your descendants that being embarrassed will not be the end of the world - share your most embarrassing moments w/them.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! So what if they're not related by blood or marriage? Your descendants want to know about the people who shaped your life.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Use footnotes on the bottom of your journal pages to give the full names of the people mentioned. Your descendants thank you.

Monday, January 14, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! More than a name on a tree. Don't allow unmarried, childless family members to be forgotten. Honor their memories.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! How did you get those scars? Why did you get those tattoos? When did you get your ears pierced? Share with your descendants.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What was the first thing you ever sewed? Share this memory with your descendants.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Did you keep your old calendars? Use them to help you journal. Don't have them? Use historical events to jog your memory.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Teach your children to journal when they are old enough. Before that time, you can journal for them. What you did today...

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Leads can take you on tangents you hadn't planned on. Make sure to write down your original goal so you can get back to it.

Monday, January 28, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! For pics that have a backing that cannot be written on with regular pens/pencils - try a black/white photo labeling pencil.

Monday, January 28, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Most pictures can be labeled w/ a #2 pencil or ballpoint pen, but on those harder to write on - invest in photo labeling pen.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Do your descendants a favor & transcribe your own journals and research. After all, who knows your mind better than yourself?

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Get a backup of your social networking site. This can help you fill in your journals and/or recover lost pictures/videos.

Saturday, February 02, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Create a calendar wish list w/ a list of records you want and the year they become available through Freedom of Info. Act.

Sunday, February 03, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Before you clip that newspaper article, write (in pencil) the name, date, vol. & issue #'s, page number, etc. in the margin.

Sunday, February 03, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! See a familiar name? Create a database of names that come up in your research often & their relationship to you or your family

Monday, February 04, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! I never did that! Oops. Make sure you label EVERY page of your DREAM journals with "DREAM" just in case pages come loose. LOL

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Invest in custom stamps w/ your name & contact info. Include copyright info where applicable. Stamp journals and writings, etc

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Teach them about you and make it fun. Use humorous stories from your youth to write children's books for your descendants.

Thursday, February 07, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! You sent a thank you for that gift you got, but did you write about it in your journal? Use 5 W's to write abt. gifts/favors.

Friday, February 08, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Need more journaling ideas? Start or add to a correspondence log. Using your phone bill, detail the calls that you remember.

Saturday, February 09, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! But it hurts! Encourage your children to write. Invest in an archival safe pen that doesn't need much pressure applied.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Take time to inventory your purse/wallet IN YOUR JOURNAL. Two reasons- 1) Insurance; 2) Readers can compare theirs to yours.

Monday, February 11, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! When did she say that? Create individual txt documents for those you converse with. Copy msgs & convos to file in date order.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Go to your email server & find and select the option to save sent emails. Also, scan/copy handwritten letters before sending.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Which question is he answering? When you respond to a query, structure your answer so that the original question is clear.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Use today's headlines as journal topics. Were the articles objective/opinionated? Do you agree/disagree? What's your opinion?

Friday, February 15, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Did you hear or see something absolutely amazing today? Don't just "Like" it. Share it with your descendants in your journal

Saturday, February 16, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Use less important facts of your history to create an interactive mystery for your young descendants. Leave clues to answers.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! "Don't write in books!" Boo. If the instructions are wrong, note it in the margins. Now that's valuable to your descendants.

Monday, February 18, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Getting to know you. What burning questions do YOU have when you meet someone new? Answer these q's for your descendants.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! It can be hard to pinpoint favorites, but try to journal about the people/places/things/ideas that make you happy each day.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Pick a person a day from your yearbooks and class photos to journal abt. For people you don't know or remember, say just that.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Celebrate birthdays of the deceased by gifting your memories of them to their loved ones.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! While you're researching family history, think about which careers of the past that you would have enjoyed. Journal abt. it.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What is that? Don't limit your focus to only people. Enlarge and study photos for additional details that bring up memories.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Be as detailed as possible in descriptions of items you own that are or will soon be obsolete. What do you mean by "crimper"?

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! So, there's nothing you feel like writing about today... Go do something you can write about tomorrow.

Monday, June 03, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Give your descendants some insight into your habits. What is ON your desk RIGHT NOW? In your purse? Wallet?

Thursday, June 13, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! "What was I thinking?" Reread your journals. Use them to inspire new journal entries where you can add details OR comments.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What were your favorite Father's Day Gifts to give or to receive? How do you traditionally spend the day?

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Use your rolodex, yearbooks, friends lists to start a "Who's Who" journal to introduce acquaintances to your descendants.

Monday, July 08, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Ever been rescued? Relate your stories of the heroes in your life to your descendants.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! To have the best, to be the best... What does that mean to you? Let your descendants know.

Thursday, October 03, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! It's so embarrassing that you don't want to remember it. Tell your descendants about it! Teach them - they, too, can survive.

Friday, October 04, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What are your experiences with other religions? What are/were your parent's affiliations? Your descendants want to know.

Saturday, October 05, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! When you journal about other people, remember your main audience will ultimately be their descendants.

Sunday, October 06, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Are there businesses that you stopped patronizing for a particular reason? Explain. Perhaps your descendants will agree.

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Do you remember recurring dreams from your youth? You might be surprised at how many of your descendants have similar ones.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Which charities/causes are close to your heart? Why? Maybe you can convince your descendants to help when you're gone.

Friday, October 11, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Ever thought you had something valuable only to discover it wasn't? Tell your descendants your story. Now that's valuable.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! 'That reminds me...' Encourage genealogy interviewees to also write the memories that are triggered by, but unrelated to q's.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! On a scale of 1-10, how do your recipes rate w/ each family member? Make note of preferences on the recipe or in a journal.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Need internet speed, but want the beauty of a personal touch? Handwritten letters can be scanned in & attached via email.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Write product reviews in a journal. Your future inventors and innovators want to know what you think can be improved upon.

Friday, October 18, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! While there are books abt. dealing w/ death, learning about YOUR loss/recovery might be more beneficial to your descendants.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Which class do you wish you'd paid more attention in? Do you have tips for your descendants to make studying easier for them?

Sunday, October 20, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Write down at least one memory of each of your instructors/tutors. Remember, your audience includes their descendants.

Monday, October 21, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! How do your journaling habits make you feel? What is your type? Bare Facts? Detailed? Daily? When you remember or have news?

Monday, October 21, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Who inspires you to take action? You'll never forget...Right? Years from now, don't be the one who says, "I don't remember."

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Answers to interview questions can change over time. Make note of the questions you should ask family members yearly.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! When has your life been worthy of a soap opera? Your descendants want to know. Better you tell them than your evil twin.

Friday, October 25, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! When have you felt like you didn't belong? Commiserate with your descendants. They undoubtedly have stories of their own.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What is your favorite way to celebrate success? How do you deal with your failures?

Sunday, October 27, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Have any scary driving moments? Know any good shortcuts? Clue your descendants in.

Monday, October 28, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Ever had an actual cliffhanger? Tell your descendants about your daring (or not so daring) escapades.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Have you ever taken the blame for something you didn't do? Have you ever blamed someone else for something you did?

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! When have you been betrayed? Whether you forgive or not, it's an event that helped shaped your life. Tell your descendants.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What are the most memorable drug reactions you've had? Name the drug & what happened. Your descendants will appreciate it.

Friday, November 01, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Write about yesterday for your descendants. Remember the neighbor kids' descendants & use whole names if possible.

Saturday, November 02, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Who has/have been your biggest supporter(s) throughout the years? Remember, your audience includes their descendants.

Sunday, November 03, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What has been stolen from you? Discuss both physical objects and intangibles--your identity, your heart, your job, etc.

Monday, November 04, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Rate the card and boardgames in your house. Who plays each game with you? Who usually wins? Which one is the family favorite?

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Who is the unluckiest person(s) you know? What has happened to them? Remember, your audience includes their descendants.

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What is your earliest or best memory related to your favorite thing to do?

Thursday, November 07, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Who are the people you miss the most, both living and deceased?

Thursday, November 07, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Have you ever been interrogated? By whom? When? Where? Why?

Saturday, November 09, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! Do you like to dance or do you prefer to watch? Can you dance? Or, should I ask, do other people think you can dance?

Saturday, November 09, 2013

WRITE IT DOWN! What do other people do often that makes you gag? I can't watch people eat soggy cereal. Blech!