Preserving Your History

John J Cosgrove with grandkids - 1968

My grandfather was a lawyer by trade but his passion was writing.  So when he was asked to record his first Christmas memory, he went to another room to write everything down.  You can hear in his voice that he is reading his draft. And you certainly can hear the precision of the lawyer coming out. “That was the Christmas when I was three years and two months old.”  Though it may lack some spontaneity, it would have been a shame for my father to insist that he do it without the preparation that he felt he needed.  Because, forty years later, I can hear who he was through not only his words but also through his presentation.  I can hear the prepared, precise, and measured man that mentored a generation of lawyers in writing and brief preparation.

It’s an important lesson to me again in how much meaning is conveyed beyond the words themselves. And how important it can be to let your subjects be themselves.

Here’s his Christmas story as he wished to present it.

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The International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review (IIRLR) is pleased to announce the
Florence Gray Soltys Graduate Student Award for exemplary research or practice in the field of
reminiscence and life review that contributes, knowingly or not, to the IIRLR mission. Nominations
will be accepted from faculty and others who believe the work of a graduate student significantly
forwards the IIRLR mission.

IIRLR Mission
To further define and develop the interdisciplinary field of reminiscence and life review through
discussion and collaboration in practice, research, education, volunteer and individual applications
across the lifespan.

Requirements:
• Research, program or project completed during a graduate or post graduate program in any
field that furthers the IIRLR mission
• Nomination letter that details above and includes a resume20of the nominated student
• Contact information for both the nominator and nominee
• Must be received before April 15, 2009
• Send via email to dsislo@uwsuper.edu

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Pendleton Woolen Mills is running a “Tell Your Family Story” contest.  Share the story of your family in 500 words or less. The prize is an exclusively designed jacquard blanket depicting the story. These blankets are patterned after a traditional Native American trade blanket.

“For generations, blankets have been woven with story-telling designs that speak to various aspects of important elements of life, such as rites of passage, legends and community,” says Robert Christnacht of Pendleton Woolen Mills. “This contest gives one family an opportunity to tell their family story in one of the most authentic American traditions, the Trade Blanket.”

You may pick up entry forms at several Pendleton Woolen Mills store locations or online at their website. The winning entry will be selected for its authenticity, creativity and originality by a panel of Pendleton judges. The winner receives 12 of the specially designed blankets. Entries must be received by April 30, 2009. The winning family will be announced by May 30, 2009. “To help celebrate the six generations of our family,” says Mort Bishop III, president, Pendleton Woolen Mills, “we wanted to give families around the country a chance to have something lasting, unique and truly special.”

Pendleton Woolen Mills Story Contest

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My mom sent me 12 audio cassettes recently. She had no idea what was on them. After transferring them to a digital format, I discovered hours of my family’s personal history. There was an interview with my great-grandfather with more than you’d ever want to know about hay baling. But the most exciting aspects of these tapes was the “found audio”. My father would set his boxy black Norelco tape recorder on a table and just let it run. Or he would poke the microphone around corners recording casual conversations. He surreptiously recorded hours of what most people may think of as mundane family life.  Heard again after more than 30 years, the mundane is now precious bits of lost lives. There are three of my four grandparents recalling their first or best Christmas memory. But one of my favorites is this bit of audio that my dad captured in 1970 as my youngest brother, then 5, sings “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”.

Jim Sings Raindrops-1970

Preserving your past can be so much richer than recording dates from a tombstone. It’s important to realize that your past is happening now.  Make use of the new slim cameras that can record audio and video and can be slipped into almost any pocket. You may not capture gold medal material every time you record something. But, believe me, through the prism of 40 years, the mundane becomes a potent family memory and is invaluable to remind you of who you once were.

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