So, today I started a Google Doc and shared it with some people. This may seem like a normal thing these days – but I realized that this is pretty significant. This particular document was about my family history and I shared it with some family members. I am trying to get as much of my family history as possible captured before it is lost. Conversations aren’t enough. I need to have my relatives review my notes and add their parts. This is an effort that I hope will result in a more complete story of my family. And it will be available to all of us.
I know storytelling is the old-fashioned way – but what do people do now? Are we still mainly relying on storytelling? If so, that seems a bit out-dated. Sure, telephones, email – they help facilitate communication. But shouldn’t we have a better technique by now?
I think social networking sites geared towards families are a great idea and I do hope that they catch on. However, my experience is that the family members that have the expiring information are probably the last ones who will use these sites. It seems to me that we still have at least one generation before those tools are usefully popular.
Liz,
Have you explored Geni. I really like some of the features they have. My only fear is how will they monetize it.
Yes! That is the tool I had in mind. Hopefully, they can figure out a way to monetize it by the time it catches on. Ads, maybe?