Why it’s so important to find out about your medical history.

Why it’s so important to find out about your medical history.

Your medical history is an important part of understanding your personal health. Family medical history can help you learn what types of genetic conditions run in your family and what types of diseases your family is prone to developing. But what happens when you don’t know enough about your family history to understand your family health dynamics? The following guide will help you understand how family history and family health are related and what you can do to find out more.

How Family history and Medical History Are Related

Your family  history and your health have a surprising relation: not only are these genetic diseases and conditions that run in families, but you may be able to tell whether or not your family has a predisposition to certain types of conditions (such as heart disease, strokes, etc.) based on their history. That is why it is so important to have at least a basic understanding of your family health.  

Genetic diseases

There are countless genetic diseases that may run in your family. Genetic diseases can include diseases such as cystic fibrosis, ALS, Marfan syndrome, Huntington’s disease and more. The fact that many genetic diseases are serious is the primary reason why it is vital that you know about your family health history. 

Pre-disposition to certain diseases

There are also many diseases that may not be directly genetic but can still be prevalent in a particular family line. These include an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, and so on. If you don’t know that you have a higher pre-disposition to developing these conditions, then you are missing out on a key element to preventing them: high-risk assessments from your doctor and increased vigilance regarding your health. 

How to Find Out More about Family Medical History 

Knowing your family history is essential when it comes to finding out more about your family’s medical history. There are several key ways that you can find out more about the medical history of your family.

Research your family tree

The first thing you need to do is have a basic understanding of who is in your family, particularly your aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents and anyone with a close genetic relation to yourself. If you need to do so, you can research your family tree to fill in as many gaps as possible. Once you know the basics about who is who in your family, you can move on to finding out details.

Look for death certificate and hospital records

After you have the names of people close to you in your family, start looking for death certificates and—if they are public—hospital records. You may find that multiple people in your family all died from the same genetic disease, indicating it runs in your family; or you may find a number of people in the family who died from heart disease. 

The more details you can find about your family health history, the more informed you will be about your own health.

To discover what good things you have learned from your parents click here.

To discover whether we should record dark family histories click here.

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

To learn more about the Trafalgar Cemetery, Gibraltar, click here.

How to Trace Holocaust Survivors and Victims in Your Family History.

How to Trace Holocaust Survivors and Victims in Your Family History

January 27th is the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust. But did you know that many families actually lost their family history during the Holocaust, when so many family members died or vanished from historical records? For many families, all that are left of aunts, uncles, grandmothers, cousins—are old family photographs and if they are lucky, family memories passed down from survivors who remembered them. With this in mind, it is no wonder why many people ask themselves how it is possible to trace the family history of Holocaust victims and survivors. The following guide will help you learn more about the possibilities of tracing the fates of Holocaust survivors and Holocaust victims in your family history. 

Finding Basic Information

If you are looking to trace information about a Holocaust victim or Holocaust survivor in your family, you have several options for basic resources. 

However, even the most basic resources will require you to know some basic information about the person, such as their name and if possible, the name where they lived at the time of the Holocaust. If you have this information, look up the town or city where they were living; check out a map and take note of other towns in the immediate area and if you can, search about that area's history during WWII. This may help you find out what the town was called during that time period--if the name has changed--and point you towards potential relatives who could still be in the area.

More Detailed Sources

Next, you'll need to start considering what type of archival tracing sources is available to you. If you have proof that your family member was a survivor or victim of the Holocaust, such as an established death notice or family tree, it will be easier to use these services; priority is typically given to families. 

Options include

• JewishGen's Holocaust Database is a collection of databases containing information about Holocaust victims and survivors.  It contains more than 2.75 million entries, from more than 190 component datasets.

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ITS Request Form.

• The International Tracing Service which operates out of Bad Arolson in Germany. Arolsen Archives

• Yad Vashem, which includes "Pages of Testimony" where survivors or family register the names of people who died in the Holocaust. You may be able to locate a family member due to someone else registering them before you started your own research. Yad Vashem also has both a photo archive and documents archive that can help you learn more about the history of a Holocaust victim in your family.

• In the UK you may contact The Holocaust Educational Trust a registered charity  T +44 (0)20 7222 6822

• In the US you may contact The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Survivor Resource Center at 1-202-488-6112 or 1-202-488-6130 to find out what your options are in regards to locating records related to your family member and their fate.

Remember: it may be difficult to find concrete information about Holocaust survivors and victims in your family history. For many people, very few—if any records—were left behind due to entire towns and even generations of families being killed. However, it is more important now than ever to uncover and record the histories of our families.

Support for Survivors and their families is available from Shalvata and the Association of Jewish Refugees

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn which are the best DNA test sites available in the UK click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

5 Gift Ideas To Give your grandparents.

5 Gift ideas to give grandparents.

Picking out gifts for the family can be tough, especially when you’re searching for the perfect gift for your beloved grandparents who seems to have everything. After all, you want to give the perfect gift so that your family memories of your grandparents opening up their gifts are tinged with the thought of their smile as they unwrapped their present. If you’re stuck looking for a gift, consider the following gift ideas that will help you create cherished family memories. 

Colourized Old Family Photographs

Old family photographs are something that your grandparents surely treasure, but why not take them up a notch by digitizing and colorizing them for your grandparents to enjoy? This will help bring family history to life in a memorable way that your grandparents will definitely enjoy and cherish. You can either print them on your own or have them printed and bound in a special book.

To learn which is the best free photo editing software click here.

Scrapbook of Family History

Grandparents will definitely enjoy how your family history comes alive through a well-designed scrapbook! Scrapbooks are a great way to work with old family photographs by surrounding them with interesting stickers, patterns, and even mementos such as movie tickets, scraps of fabric, and so on. Your beloved grandparents will definitely love to flip through a homemade scrapbook filled with family memories. If you want, you can even digitize the scrapbook pages so that they can be backed up and preserved for future generations of the family to enjoy.

To learn how to create a scrapbook on family history click here.

Family Photo Blanket or Gifts

The digital age has made it easier than ever to create customized gifts, from pre-printed photo albums to mugs to canvas totes and everything in between. Grandparents will definitely enjoy seeing some of their favourite old family photographs printed on as a special gift, so why not consider getting her a warm blanket for the cold winter months; other customizable gift options include mugs (perfect if they loves a cup of morning coffee!); aprons (ideal for bakers!); and even home accessories like clocks and placemats. 

Family Reunion Luncheon

One unique gift idea you can give your grandparents is the gift of a family reunion! A family reunion luncheon where everyone gets together to share a meal and family history is something that grandparents will definitely appreciate. To make it even more special, bring along a photo scanner (you can find small portable ones for a relatively cheap price) and ask family members to bring their own family photographs to pass around so they can be scanned. This will help you gather important old family photographs all while sharing family history in a fun way.

Family Video DVD

Granparents will definitely want to enjoy some family memories caught on video! To make it easier for your grandmother to watch them, have them put on a DVD so all she needs to do is place the disc into her DVD player at home. You can even add menus and other special effects if you use certain programs, so be sure to have some fun with the family videos you decide to put on DVD.

To learn which is the best software to burn my family videos to DVD click here.

If non of the above suggestions work for you, why not give the gift of being remembered?

At Silver Screen Family we make films of your elders so that they can be remembered forever! Imagine if you could hear your grandfather laugh in 40 years’ time. To listen to him talk about how he met your grandmother? About what his schooldays were like? Who his best friend was? Giving your children advice?

We make affordable family documentaries so families’ can remember their loved ones forever.

To find out more click here!

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

5 Family History Gift Ideas To Give Granny

5 Gift ideas to give Granny.

Picking out gifts for the family can be tough, especially when you’re searching for the perfect gift for your beloved grandmother who seems to have everything. After all, you want to give the perfect gift so that your family memories of grandma opening up her birthday or Christmas gift are tinged with the thought of her smile as she unwrapped her present. If you’re stuck looking for a gift, consider the following gift ideas that will help you create cherished family memories. 

Colourized Old Family Photographs

Old family photographs are something that your grandmother surely treasures, but why not take them up a notch by digitizing and colorizing them for granny to enjoy? This will help bring family history to life in a memorable way that your grandmother will definitely enjoy and cherish. You can either print them on your own or have them printed and bound in a special book.

To learn which is the best free photo editing software click here.

Scrapbook of Family History

Granny will definitely enjoy how your family history comes alive through a well-designed scrapbook! Scrapbooks are a great way to work with old family photographs by surrounding them with interesting stickers, patterns, and even mementos such as movie tickets, scraps of fabric, and so on. Your beloved grandmother will definitely love to flip through a homemade scrapbook filled with family memories. If you want, you can even digitize the scrapbook pages so that they can be backed up and preserved for future generations of the family to enjoy.

To learn how to create a scrapbook on family history click here.

Family Photo Blanket or Gifts

The digital age has made it easier than ever to create customized gifts, from pre-printed photo albums to mugs to canvas totes and everything in between. Granny will definitely enjoy seeing some of her favourite old family photographs printed on as special gift, so why not consider getting her a warm blanket for the cold winter months; other customizable gift options include mugs (perfect if she loves a cup of morning coffee!); aprons (ideal for bakers!); and even home accessories like clocks and placemats. 

Family Reunion Luncheon

One unique gift idea you can give your grandmother is the gift of a family reunion! A family reunion luncheon where everyone gets together to share a meal and family history is something that grandmother will definitely appreciate it. To make it even more special, bring along a photo scanner (you can find small portable ones for a relatively cheap price) and ask family members to bring their own family photographs to pass around so they can be scanned. This will help you gather important old family photographs all while sharing family history in a fun way.

Family Video DVD

Granny will definitely want to enjoy some family memories caught on video! To make it easier for your grandmother to watch them, have them put on a DVD so all she needs to do is place the disc into her DVD player at home. You can even add menus and other special effects if you use certain programs, so be sure to have some fun with the family videos you decide to put on DVD.

To learn which is the best software to burn my family videos to DVD click here.

If non of the above suggestions work for you, why not give the gift of being remembered?

At Silver Screen Family we make films of your elders so that they can be remembered forever! Imagine if you could hear your grandmother laugh in 40 years’ time. To listen to her talk about how she met your grandfather? About what her schooldays were like? Who her best friend was? Giving your children advice?

We make affordable family documentaries so families’ can remember their loved ones forever.

To find out more click here!

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

A step-by-step guide on how to use Google Photoscan.

A step-by-step guide on how to use Google Photoscan:

A step-by-step guide on how to use Google Photoscan.

1. Download and Install Google Photoscan:

Go to your device's app store (e.g., App Store for iOS or Google Play Store for Android) and search for "Google Photoscan." Download and install the app onto your device.

2. Open Google Photoscan:

Once installed, locate the Google Photoscan app on your device's home screen and tap to open it.

3. Position the Photo:

Place the old photo you want to scan on a flat surface in a well-lit area. Ensure there is no glare or reflections on the photo's surface.

4. Align the Photo within the Frame:

Position your device's camera over the photo, aligning it within the frame displayed on the app's screen. Make sure the entire photo is within the frame and that there is no cropping or overlapping of edges.

5. Capture the Image:

Tap the capture button within the app to take a photo of the displayed frame. Try to keep your device steady and avoid any shaking or movement.

6. Follow the On-Screen Guide:

After capturing the initial image, the app will guide you through the scanning process. You will be prompted to move the camera to specific points marked on the screen, aligning with the dots displayed over the photo.

7. Finalize the Scan:

Once you have captured images at all the specified points, the app will process the scan and display the final scanned image. Review the image to ensure clarity and readability.

8. Adjust the Edges:

If necessary, you can manually adjust the edges of the scanned photo by dragging the corners or sides of the frame. This helps to fine-tune the cropping and ensure the photo is properly aligned.

9. Save and Organize:

Once you are satisfied with the scanned photo, tap the save button or checkmark within the app to save it to your device's photo library or Google Photos. You can also add relevant tags, labels, or descriptions to the scanned photo for better organization.

10. Repeat for Additional Photos:

To scan more photos, follow the same process, positioning each photo within the frame and capturing images at the specified points. Continue until you have digitized all the desired photos.

Tips:

- Clean the photos before scanning to remove dust or smudges that might affect the scan quality.

- Ensure good lighting to avoid shadows or glare on the scanned photos.

- Keep the device steady while capturing the images to maintain sharpness.

- If you have older, delicate photos, consider using a support stand or tripod to stabilize the device during scanning.

By following these steps, you can effectively use Google Photoscan to digitize your old photos with ease. Enjoy preserving your family memories and sharing them with future generations!

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Adobe Bridge.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Adobe Bridge.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Adobe Bridge.

1. Launch Adobe Bridge: Open Adobe Bridge on your computer. If you don't have it installed, you can download it from Adobe's website.

2. Import Your Old Photos: Import your old photos into Adobe Bridge by navigating to the folder where the photos are stored. You can do this by clicking on the "Browse" tab in Adobe Bridge and locating the folder containing your photos.

3. Select a Photo: Locate the photo you want to add metadata to and click on it to select it.

4. Access Metadata Options: From the top menu bar, click on the "Metadata" tab, and a drop-down menu will appear with various metadata options.

5. Add Metadata Information: In the drop-down menu, select the metadata field you want to edit, such as "Title," "Description," or "Keywords." Click on the field, and a text box will appear where you can enter the relevant information. Fill in the desired metadata for the selected photo.

6. Apply Metadata to Multiple Photos: If you want to apply the same metadata to multiple photos, select all the photos you want to update by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each photo. Then, enter the metadata information in the respective fields, and it will be applied to all the selected photos.

7. Save the Changes: Once you've entered the desired metadata, click on the "Save" or "Apply" button to save the changes to the photo(s).

8. Repeat for Other Photos: If you have more photos to add metadata to, repeat the process for each photo.

Adobe Bridge offers extensive metadata options, allowing you to add detailed information to your old photos. By following these steps, you can enhance the organization and searchability of your photos, making it easier to preserve and share your family history. And if you're interested in transforming your family history into a captivating film, be sure to explore Silver Screen Family, a company dedicated to creating personalized films that honor and celebrate your family's unique story.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Windows Photos.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Windows Photos.

1. Open Windows Photos: Launch the Windows Photos application on your computer.

2. Import Your Old Photos: Import your old photos into Windows Photos by either dragging and dropping them into the app or using the import feature to select the photos from your computer's storage.

3. Select a Photo: Navigate to the photo you want to add metadata to and select it.

4. Access the Photo Details: Right-click on the selected photo and choose "Properties" from the context menu. A window will open displaying the photo's properties.

5. Add Metadata Information: In the properties window, click on the "Details" tab. Here, you'll find fields to input various details about the photo, such as title, subject, tags, rating, and more. Fill in the relevant information in the respective fields.

6. Apply Metadata to Multiple Photos: If you want to apply the same metadata to multiple photos, select all the photos you want to update by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each photo. Then, enter the metadata information in the properties window, and it will be applied to all the selected photos.

7. Save the Changes: Once you've entered the desired metadata, click on the "Apply" or "OK" button to save the changes to the photo(s).

8. Repeat for Other Photos: If you have more photos to add metadata to, repeat the process for each photo.

By following these steps in Windows Photos, you can easily add metadata to your old photos, making them more organized and searchable. Remember, preserving your family history is crucial, and adding metadata can provide valuable context and information for future generations. And if you're interested in transforming your family history into a captivating film, be sure to explore Silver Screen Family, a company dedicated to creating personalized films that honor and celebrate your family's unique story.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Digikam.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Digikam.

1. Open Digikam: Launch the Digikam application on your computer.

2. Import Your Old Photos: Import your old photos into Digikam by either dragging and dropping them into the app or using the import feature to select the photos from your computer's storage.

3. Select a Photo: Navigate to the photo you want to add metadata to and select it.

4. Access the Metadata Editor: Right-click on the selected photo and choose "Metadata" from the context menu. Then, click on "Edit Metadata" to open the metadata editor.

5. Add Metadata Information: In the metadata editor, you'll find fields to input various details about the photo, such as title, description, keywords, location, and more. Fill in the relevant information in the respective fields.

6. Apply Metadata to Multiple Photos: If you want to apply the same metadata to multiple photos, select all the photos you want to update by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each photo. Then, enter the metadata information in the metadata editor, and it will be applied to all the selected photos.

7. Save the Changes: Once you've entered the desired metadata, click on the "Save" or "Apply" button to save the changes to the photo(s).

8. Repeat for Other Photos: If you have more photos to add metadata to, repeat the process for each photo.

By following these steps in Digikam, you can efficiently add metadata to your old photos, making them more organized and searchable. Remember, preserving your family history is crucial, and adding metadata can provide valuable context and information for future generations. And if you're interested in transforming your family history into a captivating film, be sure to explore Silver Screen Family, a company dedicated to creating personalized films that honor and celebrate your family's unique story.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Apple Photos

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Apple Photos

1. Open Apple Photos: Launch the Apple Photos application on your Mac.

2. Import Your Old Photos: Import your old photos into Apple Photos by dragging and dropping them into the app or using the "Import" function to select the photos from your computer's storage.

3. Select a Photo: Navigate to the photo you want to add metadata to and select it.

4. Access the Info Panel: Click on the "Window" menu at the top and select "Info" to open the Info panel.

5. Add Metadata Information: In the Info panel, you can add various details about the photo. Enter the title, description, keywords, location, and any other relevant information in the provided fields.

6. Apply Metadata to Multiple Photos: If you want to apply the same metadata to multiple photos, select all the photos you want to update by holding down the Command key and clicking on each photo. Then, enter the metadata information in the Info panel, and it will be applied to all the selected photos.

7. Save the Changes: Apple Photos automatically saves any changes you make to the metadata.

8. Repeat for Other Photos: If you have more photos to add metadata to, repeat the process for each photo.

By following these steps in Apple Photos, you can easily add metadata to your old photos, making them more organized and searchable. Remember, preserving your family history is important, and adding metadata can provide valuable context and information for future generations. And if you're interested in turning your family history into a captivating film, be sure to explore Silver Screen Family, a company dedicated to creating personalized films that honor and celebrate your family's unique story.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Adobe Lightroom

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Adobe Lightroom:

1. Install and Open Adobe Lightroom: Install Adobe Lightroom on your computer and launch the program.

2. Import Your Old Photos: Click on the "Import" button in the bottom-left corner of the screen to import your old photos into Lightroom. Select the photos from your computer's storage and import them into your Lightroom catalog.

3. Select a Photo: In the Library module, navigate to the photo you want to add metadata to and select it.

4. Access the Metadata Panel: In the right-hand sidebar, click on the "Metadata" tab to access the metadata panel.

5. Add Metadata Information: In the metadata panel, you can add various details about the photo. Enter the title, caption, keywords, location, and any other relevant information in the provided fields. You can also add custom fields if needed.

6. Apply Metadata to Multiple Photos: If you want to apply the same metadata to multiple photos, select all the photos you want to update by holding down the Ctrl/Cmd key and clicking on each photo. Then, enter the metadata information in the metadata panel, and it will be applied to all the selected photos.

7. Save the Changes: Lightroom automatically saves any changes you make to the metadata. However, you can click on the "Metadata" menu at the top and select "Save Metadata to Files" to ensure the changes are saved directly to the photo files.

8. Repeat for Other Photos: If you have more photos to add metadata to, repeat the process for each photo.

By following these steps in Adobe Lightroom, you can efficiently add metadata to your old photos, enhancing their organization and searchability. Remember, preserving your family history is essential, and adding metadata can help future generations understand the context and significance of these photos. And if you're interested in turning your family history into a beautiful film, don't forget to check out Silver Screen Family, a company dedicated to creating personalized films that celebrate your family's unique story.

A step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Google Photos

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add metadata to your old photos using Google Photos:

1. Install and Open Google Photos: Download the Google Photos app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app on your device.

2. Sign In to Your Google Account: Sign in to your Google account or create a new one if you don't have an account already.

3. Upload Your Old Photos: Tap the "+" icon or the "Upload" button within the app to upload your old photos to Google Photos. You can select photos from your device's gallery or import them from cloud storage services.

4. Open the Photo: Once the photos are uploaded, navigate to the specific photo you want to add metadata to and open it.

5. Tap the Info (i) Icon: In the top-right corner of the photo, you'll find the "Info" icon (i). Tap on it to access the photo's information page.

6. Edit the Details: On the information page, you'll see options to edit various details about the photo. You can add a title, description, location, and even manually add people's names if Google Photos doesn't recognize them automatically.

7. Save the Changes: After entering the desired metadata, tap the "Save" or "Done" button to save the changes. The metadata will now be associated with the photo.

8. Repeat for Other Photos: If you have more photos to add metadata to, go back to the main Google Photos screen and repeat the process for each photo.

By following these steps, you can easily add metadata to your old photos using Google Photos. It will help you organize and search for specific photos based on the added information.

5 Gift Ideas To Give Grandad

5 Gift ideas to give Grandad.

It can be hard to pick out the perfect presents for your family, especially when it comes to picking out gifts for your grandparents. If you are looking for the perfect gift to give your grandad this year, something that will make him smile and remember old family memories, then take a look at these 5 gift ideas you can get for your grandfather.

Restored Old Family photographs

Old family photographs can make for a great present, especially when you take the time to restore them. Restoring old family photographs that have wrinkles, tears, discoloration and other issues will help your grandfather see them as they were meant to be seen: cherished mementos of family history that can be enjoyed for generations to come. 

To learn which is the best free photo editing software click here.

Customized Photo Mug

One way to gift your grandad family memories this year is to order a customized photo mug. A customized photo mug will let him get a long look at his cherished family history every time he drinks coffee in the morning or hot cocoa on a cold winter night. If you don’t think he’d cherish a mug, consider other customized photo gift options, such as blankets, clocks, books, shirts, tote bags and more. To make this type of gift truly special, make sure you choose photos that are special to your grandad. This can include photos of his children, grandchildren; his siblings, parents; as well as photos of his partner. 

Drawings from the Grandkids

There are few things more precious to grandparents than special drawings or crafts from their grandkids or even great-grandkids. These drawings can be a special part of family history, as they get passed down from generation to generation. If you want to make them more special than simple doodles, have the grandkids or great-grandkids draw them on nicer paper or put the drawings in a frame afterward.

Family Video DVD

Family history is special, which is why everyone loves to watch family videos from time to time. You can help grandad watch the videos whenever he wants by transferring important home movies to a DVD that he can watch on his DVD player. You can even customize home movie DVDs with features like menus, special effects and subtitles with the right program. This is definitely a gift that grandpas will appreciate, especially if you have videos of family members who have since passed on.

To learn which is the best software to burn my family videos to DVD click here.

Family Reunion Day Trip

Family reunions make for a perfect gift for your grandpa, especially if it’s been a while since everyone has been together. A day trip combined with a family reunion will let your grandpa enjoy a nice day out to a favorite place, along with great food and of course, the family. Make sure you encourage people to bring family photos and family videos so that they can be shared with everyone else during the event. If possible, have the photos and videos scanned/copied so everyone can have them.

If non of the above suggestions work for you, why not give the gift of being remembered!

At Silver Screen Family we make films of your elders so that they can be remembered forever! Imagine if you could hear your grandfather laugh in 40 years’ time. To listen to him talk about how he met your grandmother? About what his schooldays were like? Who his best friend was? Giving your children advice?

We make affordable family documentaries so families’ can remember their loved ones forever.

To find out more click here!

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn how to get started in genealogy click here.

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

How to preserve your old family history paper documents.

How to preserve your old family history paper documents.

So much of your family history is wrapped up in precious documents, such as old family photographs, old letters and even official documents like birth certificates and death certificates. But over time, family history documents can become damaged, faded and even completely destroyed. That is why you need to work hard to preserve your old paper family history documents so that the family memories they help preserve stay strong for future generations to come. The following guide will help you find out more about preserving your family history, whether it’s old photographs, birth certificates or something in between.

To learn how to organize family history paperwork click here.

How to Preserve Family History Documents

The method for preserving family history documents will vary depending on the type of document, what type of paper it’s made from, its current condition as well as its age. You will need to carefully analyze each document you need to preserve in order to do what’s best for preserving it as professionally as possible.

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

Step One: Digitize Documents

The first thing you need to do is digitize all of your old paper documents. In this case, digitizing can mean two different things. One, scanning the document with a photo or document scanner; then taking the resulting digital file and saving it to a computer so that it can be edited (if necessary) and then backed up. Or two, it can mean taking a high-quality photograph of the document with a camera or a smartphone camera, then backing up that resulting digital file in the same way as the first method.

Typically, the reason you may want to take a high-quality photo rather than scan the document is that documents which are exceptionally fragile may not do well to be placed inside a scanner. If this is the case, then taking a photo is a gentler and less invasive option to take.

To learn how to convert family slides to digital photos click here.

To learn how to share family videos online privately click here.

Step Two: Use Archival-Friendly Storage

Once the document has been digitized, it’s time to store it in some type of archival-friendly storage material. This can include certain types of plastics or even paper material that can help keep old documents from getting damaged by corrosive materials, sunlight, and so on. It’s important that you look for archival-friendly storage, as using regular plastic or materials can lead to old documents becoming more damaged rather than less damaged over time. For the most part, you’ll want to store these documents in single sleeves rather than placing them together; for instance, if you have a multiple page letter to preserve, you can use acid-free sheets in between them so that the pages don’t rub together.

To learn how to label old photo digital scans using metadata click here.

Step Three: Keep Original Documents in a Secure Place

Finally, you’ll need to store the family history documents in a secure place. The location needs to be away from sunlight, water and moisture that can damage documents over time. Many people store these documents in metal file cabinets, but you can also place them in a safety deposit box at your local bank for safe keeping.

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.

How WorldCat can be useful for Family History?

If you are researching your family history, then you no doubt want to use as many tools at your disposal as you possibly can. Today there are more ways than ever to find out information regarding your family history, which will not only help you complete a family tree but learn important information regarding births, deaths, marriages, and much more. 

One of the most overlooked tools for finding out more about family history is WorldCat. The following is a guide to how you can use WorldCat during your family history and family tree research. 

What is WorldCat?

WorldCat is essentially an online library catalog with an international database. WorldCat lets you search records from libraries around the world; almost any library connected to a digital database can be found in WorldCat’s records, so it is one of the best ways to find material present in library catalogs. 

The search function on WorldCat is completely free to use, which makes it an invaluable tool for people trying to save money while researching their family history. 

How to use WorldCat To Research Family History

If you want to use WorldCat to research your family history and family tree, consider the following best ways to use the system during your research process. 

Find books related to your family history 

The simplest way to use WorldCat is to look for books that are related to your family history. Depending on your family, these may include books about your local town, local businesses, or even a book about past generations of your family. All you need to do is look for the title or subject of the book using the search function and browse through the results. In the results page, you will see libraries where the book is located. Some of these libraries could be nearby, while others may be too far away to visit.

Connect with other libraries through interlibrary loan

If there are libraries with books or other material relevant to your research that is too far away to visit, you may be able to connect with them using the interlibrary loan system. This allows you to check out books from libraries that aren’t your home library. The rules regarding interlibrary loan can vary, so it’s best to talk with your local librarian about your intentions to see if it’s possible to borrow the book from a different system. 

Use the "Similar items" function to find more books for research

If you’ve found the book you’re looking for, you may be able to find related books that can help with your research as well. Simply select the “Similar items” button on the search results for your original search in order to bring up other material that may be relevant to your family history. The other material may include books, public records such as city and church records, and so on.

Remember, preserving your family history is important, so make sure to use all of the tools—including WorldCat—at your disposal.

To Check out WorldCat click here!

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.



How to write your life story.

How to write your life story.

Click here to find out how to organize your family history paperwork.

Have you ever wanted to tell your life story? Telling your life story can be an excellent way to preserve your own history while adding something unique to your family history legacy at the same time. Writing your life story—whether you intend to publish it with a glossy cover with old family photographs on the front or keep it circulated amongst your family only—is an overwhelming task. However, you can make the process much easier by using the following tips that will help you get started. 

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

Create a basic timeline of your life

The first thing you should do is create a basic timeline of your life. Start at the beginning, of course, and mark down key moments in your life that have defined it so far. The milestones you choose may differ depending on your current age or how much importance you place on certain time periods in your life. The most important thing to remember is that this timeline is going to help guide you on your journey to tell your life story. 

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

Convert your timeline into a sectioned book outline

Now that you have your timeline, it’s time to convert it from a simple personal family history timeline into a book outline. This is much easier than it looks! Simply take the milestones you’ve jotted down on your timeline and convert them into chapter sections. If you want, you can keep your outline as simple as this, or you can start jotting down notes for each chapter that will help guide you as you write about the different time periods in your life. (For instance, under “Childhood,” you may want to note: talk about moving to different houses, talk about grandfather dying, and so on.)

 If this is the first time you’ve tried writing a book, it may help to keep it simple at first; if you find that after writing a section or two that writing down notes will help you, then go back to your outline and add them in.

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

Begin writing a memory from one section

Now comes the part of the process that is both the simplest and the most difficult: starting to write. The best way to start writing is to pick a section of your life (such as childhood, your high school years, the year your first child was born, etc.) and start writing about it. Make sure you start “early on” in the section so that you can write in chronological order as your thoughts come to you. At this point, don’t worry about grammar or spelling or wording everything perfectly: just write! 

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

Before you know it, you will have a few thousand words already written out. From here, continue writing until you reach the end of the timeline section before moving on to another one. Soon you will find that your first draft of your personal life story is written!

Remember to keep the above tips in mind when you start writing about your own personal family history. 

If you prefer we could make an affordable and professional documentary, about you or your family. Get in touch today!

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

How to search and trace your family's LGBTQ history.

How to search and trace your family’s LGBTQ history.

Today, LGBTQ family members are finally able to enjoy the same open life that straight family members have enjoyed throughout modern history. However, this was not always the case: in the past, LGBTQ family members often had to hide their sexual orientation due to the stigma—social and in some cases, legal—against LGBTQ people throughout history. In some cases, we can catch glimpses of past LGBTQ family history through old family photographs, old letters, and even family memories. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to preserve the memory of LGBTQ family history in your family’s history.

Why Has Tracing and Recording LGBTQ Family History Been Historically Difficult?

Since LGBTQ people have not been able to enjoy the same rights, privileges, and acceptance as straight people until relatively modern times—remember that it is only in the past 10 years that same-sex marriage has become legal in many countries—historically, many LGBTQ people were not able to be open regarding their lives. This means that there are gaps and misinformation in family history, particularly regarding LGBTQ family members. For instance, you might remember an uncle who lived with a friend—they were lovers, but to the outside world, they had to present themselves as “bachelor friends.” 

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

How You Can Start Preserving the History of LGBTQ Family Members

It is important to preserve family memories and family history for future generations, and part of that preservation should include LGBTQ family history that has been long overlooked or even forgotten. You can start preserving the history of LGBTQ family memories in many ways, including:

Researching family documents for more information about LGBTQ family members

This can include looking for old family letters where mentions of their relationships may have been written down, looking for documents regarding family members who may have lived less than openly with their spouses during a time period, and so on.

To learn how to share your old family films safely click here.

Collect old family photographs relevant to LGBTQ family history

You can also start looking for old family photographs that are related to LGBTQ family history.

For instance, look for old photographs of relatives who were unable to be open about themselves during their lifetime.

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

Do they have any photos with their spouse, who was at the time portrayed as a “friend” of the family member? In some cases, there may be old family photographs that were kept hidden that show LGBTQ family members having (“unofficial”) weddings or engaged in intimacy such as hugging their same-sex spouse.

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

Preserve the history through digitization

Whenever you find documents and photos related to gay family history, it’s important to preserve them so that they can be passed down to later generations and shared among current family members. The best way to preserve these documents and photos is through digitization, such as scanning or photographing the documents with a high quality camera. The digital files can then be copied to hard drives, disc and the cloud so that they can be shared with the future generation of the family down the line.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

Five things you should do with your DNA results.

Five things you should do with your DNA results.

The advent of DNA testing sites has made it easier than ever for people to find out information about their DNA, including where their family comes from, medical history and much more. Family history and DNA are naturally linked together, but what should you do with your DNA test results once you receive them? The following are 5 things that you should be doing with your DNA results, especially if you are planning on preserving family history. 

#1: Make a hard copy of your DNA results (along with several backups)

The first thing you need to do is make a hard copy of all your DNA results. A hard copy should be a printed copy on paper, which you should then store in an archival-safe material in a secure location. You should also make several other backups, including both digital and hard copies, just in case something happens to your results. These copies will ensure that your DNA results can always be accessed. 

Click here to learn how to upload DVD family videos to the cloud.

#2: Include them in your family history documentation

Your DNA results can add interesting information to your overall family history, so you should include your DNA results with the rest of your family history documentation. If more than one person in your family has received DNA results, ask them for copies so that their information can be included as well. 

Click here to find out how to organize your family history paperwork.

#3: Share them with your relatives (and compare!)

It’s undeniably fun to share your DNA results, so don’t forget to share them with your relatives and if possible, compare! It will be interesting to see how the different branches of the family compare, especially when it comes to the country of origin from their ancestors. If possible, have a little family party where everyone brings their results so you can discuss, compare and pass the results around the table. 

To learn how to share family history through social media click here.

#4: Make sure your privacy is protected

It’s very important that your DNA results are kept private, which is fairly easy to do on most DNA testing websites. Go into the settings of your account and make sure that the full results are not accessible to anyone except yourself. In some cases, you may want to share a limited amount of DNA information in case relatives try to contact you—but make sure you know what information is being shared and what you are agreeing to when you choose this type of option.

To learn how to share family videos online privately click here.

#5: Consider uploading them to legitimate family history sites

If you are doing dedicated research into your family history, then you may be able to incorporate your DNA results into certain family history sites. These sites may be able to connect you with other family members or otherwise provide relevant information that will help you explore and document your family history. Make sure that you only upload results to legitimate sites that are willing to protect your privacy.

To learn which are the best DNA test sites available in the UK click here.

If you have taken a DNA test and received the results, make sure you do the above 5 things to protect your privacy, back up your results and further explore your family history.

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

How to search for your family's coat of arms or signet.

How to S

earch for your Family’s Coat of Arms or Signet

Passing down family history from generation to generation is important in order to preserve family memories. Everything from old family photographs to family videos to mementos can be used to create a comprehensive overview of your family’s history. One of the most interesting aspects of family history is the coat of arms or signet, which is a visual representation of your family’s legacy. Many families around the world have a family coat of arms—but not many people realize it! If you want to know how you can expand your family history by searching for a coat of arms or signet, take a look at the following how-to guide.

About Family Coat of Arms

A note on family crests, coat of arms and signets: in many cases, your family history may have more than one crest! This can occur when different lineages with coat of arms come together. You should take all of the information you can find regarding the history of your family’s coat of arms so you can get a better idea of the history behind them.

How to Search for Family Coat of Arms

It is thankfully easier than ever to search for family coat of arms, especially if you live in Europe and/or the UK. There are many books you can find which have countless pages of family coat of arms, but the simplest way for modern people to find out is to use online websites that allow you to search for family signets, coat of arms and crests. 

Best Websites to Use

The following are the most popular sites you can use that will help you on your quest. 

• MyFamilySilver

• HeraldryandCrests

• TheTreeMaker

• 4crests.com

All of these sites have some free options with regards to searching for family coat of arms, crests, signets, and similar visual identifiers from your family’s history. Some of these sites also have paid options that can allow you to access more detailed features, but for the purposes of simply finding the coat of arms in the first place, the free option will do fine.

Genealogists

If you are unable to find a family crest on your home, then you can hire a professional genealogist who will be able to research your family history and hopefully find a crest, signet or similar symbol for you. Genealogists may need access to family history records, such as any relevant documents or old family photographs.

To check out why you should hire a genealogist click here.

After You Find Your Family Coat of Arms

Once you find your family coat of arms, you should make sure to copy it digitally so that it can be shared with other family members. You can even have it professionally printed and framed so that it can be displayed in your home. Other options include printing it out on a historical-style banner so that you can share your crest as your ancestors might have shared it.

Remember to keep the above guidelines in mind when it’s time to find out more about your family coat of arms.

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which are the best DNA test sites available in the UK click here.

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smartphone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.

How to organize family history paperwork.

How to organize family history paperwork.

Passing down family history to the next generation is important. Family memories can be preserved in all sorts of paperwork, whether it’s marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates—and even diaries, journals, and letters passed down from earlier generations. Family records can hold a vital key to unlocking and preserving family history, which is why it’s so important that family history paperwork is properly organized. If you want to make sure that your family records are organized in the right way, consider this guide that will help you learn the basics of organizing the family records.

How to Organize Your Family History Paperwork

Everyone may choose to organize their family records differently. The following are the most important factors that you’ll need to consider when you organize everything.

Sorting by type of paperwork

First, sort the records by the type of paperwork being handled. Types of certificates—birth, death, marriage, etc.—should be organized together; likewise, personal correspondence, notes, and diaries should be sorted together so that they don’t get scattered around. If there is more than one page in the record, such as a series of letters written by one family member, they should always be organized together. 

Protecting paperwork from damage

You will also need to consider how to protect the family records from being damaged, so that the family history isn’t lost due to accidents such as water damage or damaged due to exposure to sunlight or acidic materials. For any paperwork, especially older papers, purchase acid-free plastic sheets that are designed to keep paper from deteriorating. Don’t use standard plastic sheets you find at the supermarket, as these typically contain materials that will corrode paper over time.

To find out which are the best genealogy apps click here.

To find out how WorldCat can be useful for family history click here.

To find out how family history can help improve elder relatives self-esteem click here.

Storage options 

Before you can begin the final process of organization, you’ll need to decide on the storage options. Many people choose to store family history records in metal filing cabinets as these can typically be locked and they expose paper or other materials to sunlight. Other options include storage containers—though avoid plastics which can damage old materials—as well as wooden cabinets. 

Organizing paperwork

This is a relatively simple process once you get started. The simplest way to organize the paperwork is to sort everything by generation and then by last name. Most people prefer to start with records related to their immediate maternal and paternal line—such as mother, father, maternal grandparents, fraternal grandparents, etc.  Depending on the amount of family records you have, these records can either all be stored together to hey can be further sorted into categories such as “maternal grandparents,” “fraternal grandparents,” and so on, to be stored in a separate drawer of your storage cabinet.

You can also choose to sort items by the type of record. Letters, diaries, and personal objects can all be stored in their own category.

The most important thing to remember when organizing family records is this: keep it simple and efficient so that you can easily access family records when you need to do so later. 

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

To learn how to share your old family films safely click here.

To find out why you should hire a genealogist click here.

To find out how to record your families love stories click here.

Should we hire a genealogist?

Should we hire a genealogist?

If you have been trying to find out more about your family history in order to preserve family memories for future generations, then you’ve no doubt done the basics: compiled old family photographs, asked family members who know more about family history, and so on. But many families choose to take things a step further by hiring a genealogist to help them with their family history research. Should you hire a genealogist? The following guide will help you find the answer to this question.

Should You Hire a Genealogist?

Whether or not you should hire a genealogist for your family history research will depend on what you are trying to achieve. Are you trying to find out who is in old family photographs, but you can’t track down living family members who might be able to help identify people in them? Are you trying to find out the former locations of family members but are having trouble for various reasons, such as the time period? If so, then you may benefit from hiring a genealogist who can do a lot of this work for you—and be able to do it to a more efficient degree.

Benefits of Hiring a Genealogist

There are many benefits to hiring a genealogist for your family history work. The following are the most notable benefits that you will be able to receive after hiring a genealogist.

Experience

A genealogist will have at minimum years of experience working in the field. This will give them a massive leg up on the process as they already know the ins-and-outs of researching family history. They will know which archives to check, which online databases are useful, how to connect the dots in research, and so on. This type of experience is truly invaluable and can really help you find out more about your family history.

Connections

A genealogist working in the field will have certain connections that you, as an ordinary layperson, simply won’t have. This can help a genealogist find out more information about your family history than you would be able to do on your own. 

Detailed Analysis

A genealogist will be able to provide a more interesting, professional detailed analysis of your family history than you would be able to create on your own. A professional analysis from a genealogist can be very beneficial for preserving your family history, especially when it comes to creating an analysis that can be shared and understood by future generations. 

Capable of Foreign Research

If your family history research would require foreign research, then the work of a genealogist will be invaluable. Genealogists will be able to do foreign research, including researching foreign archives, finding international birth and death receipts, and so on. If you aren’t bilingual or you don’t have access to international records, then the ability of a genealogist to do foreign search can mean the difference between finding out family history and it forever remaining hidden to you.

If you are interested in hiring a genealogist, make sure you keep the above benefits in mind.

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which are the best DNA test sites available in the UK click here.

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.