How to Create a Written Time Capsule

 Family History, How-to, Journal writing, Memories, Sharing Memories, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing about Memories  No Responses »
May 132013
 

My Time Capsule When we’re anticipating a milestone event, we focus on the event itself, not what is going on in the world around us.  Later on, however, it’s fun to look back in context of what was happening in the world around us. For those that read about our memories decades later, such a written time capsule can increase understanding of the event itself. An understanding of the historical context will definitely help readers visualize the days surrounding the event.

Some people enjoy making an actual time capsule. If you have the time and inclination, a simple Google search will yield many instructions like this one from the Library of Congress. Another good idea is to use a Pinterest board to illustrate the circumstances surrounding the event. (See Pinterest Primer.)

You don’t necessarily need to find time to write or journal about current events while you’re planning your wedding or in between Lamaze classes. You may have to wrack your brain a little more if you’re writing to fill in historical context later, but constructing a written time capsule with the benefit of hindsight also gives you an idea of what trends and devices have become iconic. Hint: Internet search engines can be a big help if you can’t quite remember something.

Format: Of course, beautifully written, logically constructed paragraphs will always be appreciated, but this is a time when bullet lists will also work nicely.

What to include in your Time Capsule on a Page

In the newsConsider headlines in news magazines. What important events are going on in the world? Who is in office? Are there any major stories breaking locally?

Mention a couple of status quo’s. What’s the price of gasoline? How much does it cost to fly or buy a Coca-cola? What has the weather been like?

Home

A glimpse of my mother’s kitchen.

What’s your home like? Who lives there? If you look around in your living room or kitchen, what do you see? Is it immaculate? Cozy? Uncluttered? Give others a taste.

Include fashion trends.This is easier in hindsight because we know what has really gone out of style. Just think of the 1980’s for example—big hair, big glasses, shoulder pads, etc. What styles do you favor? Is there a particular style that is absolute torture for you?

Write about friendships. We think we’ll always be close to all of our friends, but the truth is friendships ebb and flow. Who do (did) you lean on? Rant to? With whom do (did) you share secrets? Drink? Play sports? Commiserate?

Include photos if you can. Though I looked (and probably was) totally peeved at my mother taking a picture of me with a hair dryer on my head and green gook on my face on the morning of my wedding day, I like having it now (not enough to share it though). Snap a few photos or dig through your archives to shed light on the days around your big event. You can also pose some shots, like one of yourself surrounded by your favorite things (or people).

Try jotting down some notes about what was happening when you were born, graduated from high school or college, got married, or had your first child.

Add Comment Icon Do You Have Other Ideas or Comments? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

© Laura Hedgecock 2013

Find Historical Images to Illustrate Your Writing

 Family History, Memories, Scrapbooking, Uncategorized, Writing about Memories  2 Responses »
Feb 242013
 

Two-Photographers-LOC-PPOCIf you’re like me, you have a lot more stories about your grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles than you do photos.  I have only a handful.  If you’re artistic, you can draw (and scan when needed) your own illustrations. If you’re not artistic, you can find historical images to illustrate your writing.

Finding Images at the Library of Congress:

It’s easier to get to the Library of Congress than you might have imagined. Although you can also find Library of Congress (LOC) images through Ancestry.com, there’s no need to go through a paid subscription service.  The LOC’s Prints & Photograph Online Catalog (PPOC) is available at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/ and it’s searchable.  There are photo collections, posters, and prints.

369378pv interior of tobbaco barnFor instance, my mother was raised on a tobacco farm, but there are no photographs of the barn.  However, through the PPOC, I can find a photo of a Virginian tobacco barn (right).
Caveat:  The Library of Congress gives whatever copy- or usage rights it can, but securing appropriate permissions is up to the user.  If you’re using the images commercially, you need to look at carefully at the accompanying information.

Using Ancestry.com and Other Genealogical Resources

Ancestry.com, a subscription service, is the biggest resource for images of historical documents. If you don’t have (or want) a subscription, check to see if your library has a library edition. Additionally, Ancestry.com isn’t the only game in town.  Other sites, such as FamilySearch and the National Archives also have such images, although they are not indexed to the same extent.

Tip:

An example of a historical document augmenting a narrative:  “My Grandfather’s Military Service”

©Laura Hedgecock 2013

Writing about the Past: Keep Your Dates

 Family History, Genealogy, How-to, Memories, Scrapbooking, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing about Memories  No Responses »
Feb 202013
 

Important date Including Time References

The stories we write to annotate our scrapbooks and family trees might be timeless, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t benefit from the addition of a date or two. Genealogists in particular love dates, with good reason. It’s not simply the fact that they eliminate the blank spots on our cascading pedigree charts—they also give us historical perspective.

Awareness of the time periods in which ancestors lived can fill in details between the bare facts provided by comparatively bland church, military, and government records.

However, genealogists are not the only ones that benefit from the inclusion of dates. Writers of both fiction and non-fiction use historical perspective to give their readers insight into characters lives, allowing readers to infer or “fill in” details based on the circumstances of time and place.

This is one example of the need for a historical reference. Though it looks much older, this photo was taken in the mid-80’s

This is one example of the need for a historical reference. Though it looks much older, this photo was taken in the mid-80’s

When writing about the past, time can be as important as place in providing a setting. For instance, my husband’s grandfather was a linesman for the telephone company. Without any historical context, you’d imagine him to be like linesmen you see working today. However, with the additional information that he was a linesman in the 1920’s,  your imagination takes a different turn. You might see him more as he perhaps saw himself—a trailblazer, making the way for the inevitable progress of technology.

Including even a brief amount of historical context not only helps orient your reader, but also lends a deeper understanding of why events may have happened as they did.

Tip:

You might not remember exactly what year something took place, but by adding such information as “when the twins were still in diapers,” or “back before cell-phones, when you could actually find a working public phone,” you’ve given your readers a wealth of additional information on which they can base their visual images.

(c) Laura Hedgecock.

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