Step 3: Gathering Resources

Pictures

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; the same goes for photos. It’s time to take them out of their boxes, envelopes, camera or computer to let them express themselves with your memories:

• Make a critical selection of the photos to use. Avoid blurry images. If with the same subjects, pick the best one. The red eyes one unless you want to rework them. Choose your favourites, the one that best communicates the event or relates to emotion.
• Consider digitalizing your selected printed photos to create electronic copies. Plus, it’s an easier way to save, view, and share them with your family.
• If you work on a paper format, making copies to keep these originals is preferable.
• If, like me, you grew up with photos on slides, it is possible to have them digitized at a modest price in photo stores. Additionally, scanners these days also offer a module for slides.

Official documents

These papers are often accompanied by a signature and a date, making it easier to position them in your timeline. Without adding them as is to your biography, by producing a copy, you have the possibility of adding only the significant part. To use this document remains your choice; either they become a reference for you, or they will add a touch of authenticity to your story.

• Birth certificates
• Baptism or marriage certificates
• Sales documents
• The medical file
• School report cards
• Official letters of acceptance or rejection
• Bank or credit statements (more for reference to target events)

Personal documents

These documents are more personal and often attached to a more incredible emotion or a memory that touches you more deeply. You have kept them after all, no?

• Letters
• Love letters
• Significant notes
• Birthday cards

Interviews

What better reason to visit close or extended family than to talk about sharing memories. Bring your old photos and listen to the memories you will share. Some will align with your perspective of the details; otherwise, they will add to those. If it is a more sensitive moment, it is preferable to inform them of your approach so that your interlocutor does not feel ambushed.

Drawings

With children, this always adds the little zany and childish side to your story. It will also demonstrate its importance if the child sees that you kept it after all these years.