Personal memories... and leaving a legacy...

I would never have the patience to write my life down (neither would it be very interesting). But, a friend of ours did, had it published privately and a number of copies printed, which he signed and distributed to his friends. It was fascinating reading, so many interesting snippets about how life was over the years. He is very elderly and unfortunately ill atm, but whatever happens this will be a lasting memory of him that we will treasure.

If only our forefathers had done the same it would have been a wonderful addition to our family tree documents.

Gagagran, a while before my mother-in-law died, she instructed us not to read but to burn all her diaries on her death. We followed those instructions, but it was so tempting not to turn a page or two! She had been a 'bit of a girl' in her time, and perhaps she may have had the odd dalliance here and there...but we'll never know now!

I can so understand your wish to leave a record Susie because I have kept a daily journal for almost 50 years. I write a page of A5 desk diary every night before bed and can't settle until it's done. I decided in my early teens that I wanted a record of my life for posterity! Well I have got descendants now but I really don't know what to do with the boxes of journals I have in my wardrobe. I seldom look at them and am not sure if I should pass them on to an archive somewhere or even if any archive would be interested in them. Not sure my offspring and DGC would be either. Maybe I should burn them? There are some juicy bits in and amongst the mundane!

Any ideas anyone?

That's a great idea, misunderstood. I would like to do something like that, even going so far as to describe how I felt about certain things that happened to me, would be a good thing to leave behind, I think. Life happens, doesn't it, and we can be criticised for how we may have handled parts of it. It could be a good thing to be able to write about the not so good things as well as the happy and positive things, perhaps.

When I retired I decided to write about my life from 15 onwards and putting things down brought back wonderful memories I also found that days I had been writing I felt so much better and even younger, perhaps playing the music of that era helps. I still have a long way to go as I always seem to find other things to look at when on the computer but my aim is to leave something for my family to read about me when I am no longer here

Ariadne Perfect!

The poet Spemcer's muse said "Look in thy heart and write!" Pretty good advice, I think.

Susiethe Great, dont worry about what your writing is like. It is part of you and will say more about you than any carefully formatted autobiography from a site selling a one format fits all solution. I am starting to think of recording my life, a peripatetic childhood and settled adulthood with a peripatetic husband etc but I am looking at themes rather than a continuous narrative, education, career, family, just jotting down ideas and thought and occasionally revising the text when I am in the mood. I am sure the sometimes disjointed tales of my life will say more of me than a formally consituted biography.

John Buchan (he of '39 Steps' fame) wrote, what he insisted was a memoir, rather than autobiography called 'Memory Hold The Door' in just that style. I could not possibly match his style but it was much more revelatory of the person than any formal biography.

Thank you! No problem with you being wary, I totally understand! Thanks for responding, now i know to make sure i don't repeat again!

It's OK, Susie we're a bit wary because advertisers do sneak in! Don't need to change it, really!

Welcome to GN!

Oh no... how do I change what I have written? I don't want to get in trouble...

Oh dear - ever so sorry is that not allowed? I am new on here -I should read the fine print more. I will change my post - took me ages to type also!

I think so too.

I think you may have inadvertently advertised on here, as the website you recommend has a very expensive service on offer.