Audio Recordings

Dad never talked much about his childhood, and, as children, we never even thought to ask him about it. We learned a little through Mom, but the best way was through an audio recording.

Our cousin’s daughter asked her grandfather to record the story of his early years. By asking direct questions, he gave his responses in his own words and his expressions. Although I never got to hear the recording, I got a copy of a transcription. While reading the comments, I could picture my uncle and almost hear his voice and laughter at certain points in his story.

This recording taught us what life was like for our own Dad while growing up. It was a story of a happy family growing up on a farm until his Mom died when Dad was only 11. After that, his father tried to keep the farm going and keep the family together.

Dad had to quit school after Grade 8, and his father passed away when he was 17. Although he inherited the farm, it was a tough time for all farmers, and Dad ended up homeless.

After learning this story, I could understand more of why Dad said and did certain things and where his core values came from.

If you have a parent or grandparent, aunts or uncles, who are not ones to write about themselves, make good use of a microphone and recording device to capture their stories while you can. And if you’re uncomfortable with writing, why not use good technology to share your story with your family?

See our resources for more information.

Videos

Thomas fell upon hard times. He found himself at The Salvation Army, where he received food and discovered a place of worship. He went from depression and loneliness to finding fulfillment through volunteering in his community. He chose to share his story, not only with his family but with anyone who wants to hear it on YouTube.

Video recordings are a great way to communicate, especially if you live far from your loved ones. They not only learn about you but also get to see your mannerisms and hear your expressions. Of course, there is the problem of advancing technology which may make your recording obsolete in just a few years unless you subscribe to businesses that will update the technology as needed. So it’s also a good idea to transcribe any recordings you make and have in your possession.

Here are a few resources to get you started.