Priceless... (Grandparents' Memories - Julie Pinnell)

Member Name: sambam000

Product:	Grandparents' Memories - Julie Pinnell
Date:	27/07/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A wonderful record.

Disadvantages: Can't get my parents to fill theirs in!

With family history becoming increasingly popular (on the back of shows such as 'Who Do You Think You Are?), I thought it would be a lovely idea to find out a bit more about my own parents, & have some sort of record of their memories to pass down to my son when he's older. I felt this was especially important as both mine & my husband's parents are well into retirement age & (sad to say) may possibly be not around as my son grows up for him to find out the family history for himself.

So, after looking around on the internet I decided to buy 'Grandparents Memories' by Julie Pinnell. The book is one of a series (including such as Parents memories also), & was published by Julie after she herself saw a need for such a book & hand-produced one first for her own parents.

The book is basically full of questions, with an empty box for Grandparents to fill in their memories. There is space for each Grandparent to fill in their own memories for each question (individual Grandma & Grandpa books are also available, for those instances where only one remains, or the couple are divorced).

Questions include such as: When/where were you born? · Who were you named after? · Did you have a nickname? Do you know why? · How old were your parents when you were born? · Describe the best birthday you can remember? · What did you do at Christmas - did you have any regular family rituals? · What was your favourite toy? · What was the naughtiest thing you did growing up? · How much pocket money did you get? · Who was your best friend? · What was the first record you ever bought? · What has changed the most since you were a child? And so on...!

Last Christmas I purchased 2 of these books from Amazon (currently £13.21 - price correct @ July 09), & gave one to my own parents & sent one across the pond to my in-laws in America.

Personally I think the books are a fab idea, but both were greeted by uncertain tones/looks from both sets of Grandparents. They were both unsure what to do if they couldn't answer a question. Simple we said - just alter the question to suit...so, 'What is your Favourite Musical?' could become 'What is Your Favourite Film?'...or perhaps having forgotten 'First Record Bought?', they could put something about ONE of the first records they bought, and so on.

So, here we are in July. My parents haven't even began to fill theirs in. Oh, we've had plenty of funny stories & reminiscing over some of the questions, but neither parent feels confident on writing any of it down. Perhaps I could fill it in, they suggested. To me, that's not the point...the record becomes so much more personal if handwritten by the people themselves, no matter how scruffy the writing, or the number of spelling mistakes.

My mother-in-law has finally started filling hers in, so hopefully we'll receive something back soon, & our son will at least have one set of memories to treasure.

These books are fantastic - IF you can get relatives to fill them in! I will no doubt purchase the 'Parents' book at some point & fill one in myself. Memories are so hard to keep track of, & these books become priceless as they are handed down from generation to generation...I'd recommend anyone to record theirs for prosperity....

Summary: A lovley way to remember people/days gone by.