If you love family history, you know how important it is to preserve memories. But, while you’re saving the heirlooms from your ancestors, remember to be recording your own personal history as well!

Kinds of Journals

There are a variety of ways to record your personal history. Find the style that works best for you.

• Handwritten journals have personality. The dip of your “q”s and the curl of your “C”‘s are something that your descendants may one day cherish. Additionally, it’s believed that the physical act of writing something down helps you to remember it better. The drawback of this method is that it does take time, and those physical copies take up space on shelves.
• Electronic journals are easy to edit, and even easier to store. Be sure to keep extra copies on hand, however. Don’t let a computer crash erase your life story! Save your journal to multiple devices, or even print out a hard copy.
• Scrap Booking is another great way to record your personal history. Either online or on the floor, preserve photos that show your memories in action. Be sure to label everyone in the photos, as well as give the date and location!

But What Do I Write About?

Many people write about what happens in their day-to-day lives. However, if your day has been particularly mundane, that’s not all you have to talk about. Consider this list of questions that can help you record your personal history one day at a time. By giving each question significant thought, and exploring the “Why’s” and “How’s” you’ll create an in depth personal history that will give your descendants insight into your life story.

Too Busy to Journal?

Write a Little Every Day – If you don’t have much time, then select a method of journal writing that doesn’t take much time. Bookstores sell a variety of journals, including those that ask a quesiton a day. In this way, you can easily answer a question everyday, recording your history in little snippets at a time.

Having a hard time remembering to write in your journal everyday? Sneak it somewhere into your daily routine, whether that’s just before you go to bed, or during your lunch break.

Write a Lot Every Once in a While – If you’ve got plenty of details you want to share, but not as much time to share them, try setting aside an hour or so one day a week to record the events of the week or other aspects of your personal history.

How do you record your life story?