Family Writings

In today’s digital age, everything from baby’s first steps to loved ones’ last breaths are easily documented and shared through social media with as wide a circle as one wishes. Technology is a great aid to writing families’ stories and histories, making it easier in many ways. I like to think there is room to expand the practice of documenting and recollecting to share with family and friends.

When my first grandchild was born, I was gifted a ‘Letters to My Grandchild’ kit. It includes envelopes with a variety of topics: ‘when your mother or father was young’, ‘I’m curious to see how you…’, ‘best advice anyone ever gave me’, and many more. He is only eight years old now but I can imagine him as a young man and should get started on a letter to share on his eighteenth birthday. I’ll use the ‘my wishes for you are…’ envelope.

My family has always known we have Irish ancestry and we assumed our relatives immigrated to Canada because of the famine. I don’t recall ever hearing about the families’ struggles. Thanks to an article my grandmother had saved on the history of many Irish settlers arriving in Grey County, we know they arrived around 1860. Our grandfather’s and grandmother’s families came from County Wicklow, located south of Dublin on the coast of the Irish Sea. Knowing this is fun and intriguing but was discovered long after our grandparents passed. If only I had asked more questions about the stories they had heard from their grandparents or if someone had documented their experiences. 

A friend is in possession of her favourite aunt’s numerous volumes of journals she kept throughout her life. She recalls her aunt as outlandish and extremely mischievous. What a treasure to get to know this woman within the context of the societal norms that spanned her life. I’m not sure how my friend has resisted the urge to put pen to paper with such a wonderful resource.

Life’s milestones provide perfect opportunities to acknowledge family and friends in a special way; graduations, weddings and retirements. Sharing a bit of our own parenting joys and struggles could be an interesting way to congratulate and encourage young parents. Shared vacations, adventures and the fun and challenges of day to day life, when written about, can remind us of memories that may otherwise be forgotten. 

Time capsules provide a great project for families wanting to involve kids in documenting their stories. There are lots of kits available for purchase as well as user friendly templates on line to set up the activity for your family. Templates include questionnaires for kids to complete so the whole family can participate. Completing a time capsule can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Messages can document favourite memories and activities and individuals’ hopes and predictions for the family. Sentimental photos, small toys, artwork and news clippings could also be included. The whole family can decide what should go into the time capsule and when they will open it. Completing one every few years might be fun.

I know what to give my family for Christmas this year. How about you?