Writing, Scrapbooking, Podcasting My Family History
An unexpected bonus of starting a new blog about your family history is that not being able to sleep at night is no longer a problem. You simply lie there thinking about who and what you should write about. Until last night! Last night was different because without warning I realised that I had to write about myself!
I'm pretty sure I hold the record for procrastinating. Even as a senior citizen I remember starting to "write a book" when I was 12 years old. I was the heroine of the story and my name was Molly Molone! The opening scene was me pushing a barrow which was obviously a memory I "borrowed" from my mother.
When someone you love dies you cope with grief, loss and a sadness so deep you feel that you are drowning. Then time passes and your thoughts turn outwards. In my case it was the not knowing what happened in those last moments. You pray that love overcame fear.
There are no photographs of the teenage, Doris Rosina Ilson. I know she was born in Poplar and I let my imagination fill in the gaps by watching the BBC production of "Call the "Midwives" I saw my mother in the clothes they were wearing. When I watched the women standing talking outside with their neighbours it was her voice I heard. Even the children playing out in the street stirred memories of the games I played.
I've often wondered if we learn how to parent from our mother or how Not to parent from our mother! In my case I spent most of my life not living with my mother but grew up knowing I was loved. I have long ceased to stop trying to understand my upbringing and enjoy and love the person my mother was rather than the dwelling on the mother she wasn't.
Writing on the backs of photos is no way to label them. The best way to do may scare the pants of you! It's called "meta data". Now, my approach to techy stuff has always been that I may not understand what it is but I do know how to do it! In this post I will show you "how" just how easy it is! Honest!!
Did you know that one of the main reasons genealogists start researching their family tree is photographs! So, why don't we look after them more? Why isn't labeling our photos up there with DNA testing? How many of these examples have you experienced!
Not belonging is a terrible feeling. It feels awkward & it hurts. As if you were wearing someone else's shoes. (P Stone)
In 1948 Israel was created, Ghandi was assassinated, London was busy with the Olympics and I was born..........on a Friday!
I’m really not sure why I have started my family history with my father’s narrative as I began my research with my Grandmother Ilson on my maternal side! Perhaps if I was to examine my reasons more closely it may be that I have always felt a little guilty that my relationship with my father was not a demonstrably close one!
Warts And All 