This Week in Personal History... August 1

“Be the silence that listens.”

—Tara Broch

This week’s collection of links includes some meaningful first-person storytelling, tips for family historians, and a fun TV teaser—enjoy, memory-keepers!

Roundup of Personal History Links - August 1, 2017

In the News

A LIFE IN THEATER
“I was compelled by the idea of a grieving daughter going through her father’s boxed up treasures in the theater that made his name,” writes Michael Paulson in the NYT. What James Houghton left behind: keepsakes from a life in theater.

HIGHLIGHT REEL
Interested in family history? Then, like me, you're probably a fan of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s Finding Your Roots. The series returns on October 3, and here’s a sneak peek at some of the guests.

On the Blogs

VIETNAM-ERA ACCOUNT
“I would soon realize arriving in the middle of the night in a strange place was the Air Force’s first step in ripping us away from the civilian life we had left,” writes Doug Elwell in “Falling Through the Rabbit Hole.”

Personal historian Sarah White, who conducts life-writing workshops through her Madison, Wisconsin–based First Person Productions, is always looking for creative nonfiction contributions like this one. 

THE PHOTO LEGACY YOU LEAVE YOUR KIDS
Prepare your family photos so they provide comfort—not a burden—to your children when you're gone. It’s one of the most meaningful legacies you can leave your kids.

CHEERS!
The story of how wine glasses made Katelyn Burns, a trans woman, feel more connected to three generations of women in her family than ever before. A powerful true story of identity, belonging, and names.

Worth Checking Out

For newbies to the world of personal history, this thorough and easy-to-follow toolkit is a step-by-step guide to doing a successful oral history project. It's a great resource for anyone wanting to preserve an individual’s unique memories & life stories. Thanks to @FionaCosson for sharing!

#MemoriesMatter #Legacy #LifeStories #Memoir