On its statewide program, "Access Utah" (2/8/12), Utah Public Radio featured the book, One World, Many Stories, and the founder of StoryCorps. Paulette and other contributing authors participated in a discussion with guest professors from Utah State University. The interview is worth a listen! Click on this link:Personal History - Preserving Our Own Past
A fun radio interview also aired (2/1/12) on KZNU in Cedar City, where the Utah Association of Personal Historians held its first event in southern Utah. Click on this link: Radio Interview On KZNU Cedar City
The Deseret News published two fine feature articles on personal history on 1/6/09 and 1/12/10. Click HERE to read the articles.
Joyce Metcalf, 2012
Priceless!
"It's amazing how this process took me back into my life, the wonderful days and the heartbreaking ones," shared Joyce Metcalf (Utah). "By having some help, I didn't worry about how to organize all of the materials I had collected. I could focus on remembering events and reliving our lives together.
"This book is priceless, more valuable to me than anything monetary I could give our posterity. I hope they read it and catch the spirit of our lives."
Lt. Col. Kenneth Nessen, 2012
A Fresh Perspective
"In writing my life story, I tried to remember events that took place 60-70 years after they happened," explained Ken Nessen (Utah), "but I omitted some important aspects of my life.
"I needed the help of someone with a different perspective to jog my memory and bring the story into balance. I am very pleased with the results."
Mary Headlee, 2011
I Found My Voice!
"Standing by my husband's side, I felt confident and always let him be the voice of the family," shared Mary Headlee (Utah). "I was silent and didn't think I had anything important to say.
"In doing my life story, I found my voice and loved every minute. I never thought I would accomplish anything like this, and I couldn't have done it without my personal historian to listen to my story."
Charles Faux, 2010
Process Is Insightful
"At the beginning of this venture, I did not realize how differently I would come to perceive and understand my experiences here in mortality," wrote Charles Faux(Utah).
"Instead of being resentful, I now appreciate what happened to me. I feel new confidence and enthusiasm for living, all through telling my story. Thanks to my personal historian for drawing it out of me."
Jerry and Ann Maloney, 2010
Moving the Past into the Future
"I love my book!" exclaimed Jerry Maloney, the first elected mayor of West Valley City (Utah). "There are parts of it that our children will find tremendously enlightening because they know nothing about what happened in my career.
"I never knew my grandparents, and I knew very little about my mother and dad. Now, we are passing the old family stories, history and photographs into the future.
"In years to come, our grandchildren will find our story interesting and gain insight into their heritage. I am so glad we did this."
Brothers Mark, Paul, Dayle, Royce and Scott Flandro and Lloyd Call (2009)
Couldn't Put It Down!
"My parents gave us all a copy of the book for Christmas," wrote Charlotte Hibbert (Utah) about Arthur L. Flandro's life history. "This past Sunday, I picked up the book, meaning to flip through it, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Wow, what a gift!
"A great mystery was unraveled as I got to know Grandpa Flandro, and I gained many insights into my own father. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude as I read more about their family'smany years of military service. I loved reading Grandma and Grandpa's letters to each other - they seemed to be so in love their whole lives."
Virginia Tanner, reading a card to her cousin, Oliver Germann (2009)
So Worth It!
"My mother's cousin, Oliver Germann,is a World War II hero with quite a story," explained Deborah Tanner (Utah). "We put his history together for him out of love, one piece at a time. Oliver was delighted when he received the story of his life as a present for his 91st birthday.
"After receiving a copy of the book, one family member wrote, 'Yeah! It arrived yesterday, and I was up 'till midnight reading it. Great, great, great! If I could reach thru the wires, I'd give you a big hug.' This entire experience has been so worth it to us!"
June Plummer, Paulette Stevens & Nathan Plummer, 2008
Both Stories Together
"After working for several years to record Nathan's POW experiences in Japan, I hadn't thought about my own story," explained June Plummer (Utah).
"Then, our personal historian encouraged us to include the stories of both of our lives. I'm so grateful we decided to bring our family stories and photographs together into one beautiful book. It is priceless to us!"
Verla & Joseph Dawson, 2008
Worth Every Penny
"We are all very satisfied with how our folks' book turned out," wroteKent Dawson(Nevada). "It was well worth every penny of what it cost.
"Mom and Dad were still reading it when I called. Dad's voice was strong and clear over the telephone, and his attitude was positive and upbeat, something I have not heard in two years, a near-miraculous change. Thank you for developing and organizing the story and for seeing it past all of the hurdles encountered along the way."
Alice & Byron Christianson, 2007
Rediscovered Lives
"As we put together our beautiful book, we rediscovered our lives," explained Byron Christianson (Utah). "Since I am getting old and my wife has Alzheimer's, our great-grandchildren will never believe we were young. But now, they can read our story and know something of who we were. I am very grateful."
Cor & Elaine Hofman, 2006
Thanks for Sharing
"We just finished the read through of our book, and we wanted to stand up, applaud and give you a big hug of appreciation, " wrote Elaine and Cor Hofman (Idaho).
"Thank you for sharing your incredible gift with us. We feel the Lord's hand in finding you."
Vergil & Marian Webb, 2005
Reminiscing Is Fun!
"When we started working on our history, I thought, 'I'm not going to put my story in any book,'" recalled Vergil Webb (Utah). "'My life has been pretty plain and dull.'
"Then I started talking which I didn't expect to do. I found that reminiscing is kind of fun."
Beverly & Lloyd Call, 2005
Thank You!
"We express our gratitude and appreciation to our beloved personal historian for stimulating our thoughts and memories through sensitive questioning and astute observations," wrote Dr. Lloyd and Beverly Call (Idaho). "We could not have done this alone!"
Barbara Andersen, 2004
Goal Accomplished
"After four years of work on my husband's military history, I was swamped," acknowledged Dr. Bobbi Andersen (Utah). "I had thousands of pieces of information and hundreds of pictures that I didn't know how to put together.
"After many tears, I was literally guided to find help. Now, our book is finished with high standards, and I know the power of accomplishment!"
Janeal Hancock, 2004
Catching the Vision
"Telling my story has helped me to value what I have experienced in life and appreciate my greatest treasure - my family," explained Janeal Hancock (Utah).
"I'm catching the vision of this process and hope it will be helpful in the lives of my children."
Marian Flandro, 2004
Such a Relief!
"I knew it was time to get all of my parents' records together, but it was way beyond me to do it by myself," explained Marian Flandro (Utah).
"What a sense of relief to have it all come out in beautiful book form. Now, I can go on with my life!"
Gilda Sims, 2003
The Process Works
"I have always been committed to writing my personal history," shared Gilda Sims (Wyoming).
"Now, I have it done. I can't wait to have something to share with my children and grandchildren. I've enjoyed the process thoroughly!"
Lela Barnard, 2003
Remembering Happy Times
"Over the years, I've collected family photographs," explained Lela Barnards, (Wyoming). "I never touched them until I recently started working on my story.
"Now, tears run down my cheeks when I see those pictures. They remind me of my youth, our children, the joys of parenthood and our happy times."
Linda Fusselman & Carl Pearce, 2003
Don't Wait to Begin!
"With Dad's health so up and down, I didn't know how long he would have his memories or if we would finish his story," explained Linda Fusselman of her father, Carl Jones Pearce.
"The process opened the communication in our family. We gleaned an understanding of Dad's life from his experiences. Now, to see him come alive as he reads his story on paper is very meaningful to us all.
"As rough as our parents had it in their generation, we never realized what they went through. They didn't talk about it -- until we asked them. I urge people not to wait to begin. I only wish I had been able to do something like this for my mother."
TIPS
for starting your own personal history:
Focus on sharing what's important to you and why. Quality, not quantity, makes a personal history valuable. Be open with your insights and feelings.
Invite family members into the process. They will be more excited to read the final product if they feel involved in compiling materials and recalling memories with you.
It's okay to be honest. Wisdom often comes from mistakes and failures. How you deal with the lemons of life can be a strength and comfort to your loved ones.
Life stories can link us to generations of children...
What legacy will you leave for yourchildren's children?
Writing your own personal history can be a huge task. We're here to help you to get it done.
