E-Mail

• A computer and a notebook or if you don’t have a computer, 2 notebooks. Loose-leaf notebooks are best as you can add pages when needed. These books will be explained latter.
• A quiet place to work.
• Establish a routine and write a little everyday.
• Don’t worry about how what you have written sounds. It can be edited later.
• Be yourself. Write the way your talk or as if you are writing a letter.
• Be honest. Write about the way things were, not how you wish they had been.
• Include humour. Life wasn’t always serious.
• Share a little wisdom but don’t lecture.
• Research. The local library or old newspapers.

Gathering Memories

Firstly gather together such things as your birth and marriage certificates, christening and confirmation certificates, newspaper clippings and photographs. These all contain information about you and your family.

With your notebook and pen, or even a tape recorder, talk to your family and friends. Ask them lots of questions and press for details.

Visit places from your past. Former homes, schools and playgrounds.

Always try to answer the following; who, what, where, why, how and when.

If you can remember a special day in history, do some research and find facts to paint a picture for your descendants. For example the Newcastle earthquake was on 28 December 1988 but what day of the week was it? Where was the epicentre? How many people died? Where were you at the time? A trip to the library and some old newspapers will give you all the answers to paint the picture.