I've thought about this a bit and decided I'd rather hearwhat the elderly people left in my family have to say about growing up. I prefer this to doing genealogy research. Perhaps that will come later in life. If anyone is onto doing those searches I have a few peple in my life (unfortunately, they aren't family members researching MY family) who are really into that. I'm sure I could get some great web-site information for you if needed. Just let me know.

You know, you're right. I like knowing that geneaology stuff, but the actual words and memories from your parents and grandparents would be so much better than a geneaology chart all filled in.

My cousins video taped my Aunt reminiscing like that and showed the film at her funeral. It was so moving and helped us all to celebrate her life rather than mourn her death.

You are right it is more fun to ask the questions, write the stories rather than do the research. That's why I don't do it anymore.
I love being around my aunts and uncles who are in their eighties and listening to the stories they tell. I told my cousins daughter she should keep a journal on what the aunts tell her because she loves their stories and was sharing quite a bit with us. The happy, sad and problems. We compared notes and they are the same.
Maggie

Smile- I can take the tapes to the local camera shop and they will use the same process as trnsfering a VHS to CD. Only they use the audio portion. Its costs a bit but - how can you not do it.

My brother-in-law is obssesed with genealogy. He has traced the family back forever! He has written a book about one side of the family - don't know who would buy it but he did it.

He travelled to Germany and Russia to get info. Good for him but I prefer listening to the old stories rather than reading stats.

If anyone is interested in websites I'm sure he has them. Actually, I think our family hs a website. Now isn't that riveting?

well, you have hit on something near and dear to me.
I have done both. I have approx. 15 tapes of interviews with my grandmother who lived to be 98 and of a clear mind. She came to Ala from OK in a covered wagon. OK was still Indian territory when they left there.

I have traced my Mother's side back to a Cherokee chief...I am 1/16 Cherokee..see..I'm am really from royalty...

I have traced my Daddy's side back to the 15th century in Ireland. My ancestors have been traced and documented who fought in the civil war, revolutionary war, and just about every other one you can think of.

I found my grandfather who my Daddy had never known and had searched for 30 years for...It took me two very hard years, but sadly, I found him one year too late. He had died. I love talking with all of my grandparents when they were alive and the stories have been captured. Do it, do it now. You can record, video tape, whatever, just do it. Don't do like a lot of people who end up saying "oh I wish I had..."