Top Five Myths About Preserving Your Family Memories

Myths abound concerning the best way to make sure family memories are shared and received by future generations in a way that is meaningful and lasting. Debunk the top five myths and then learn about things you can do to make sure future generations benefit from your family legacy.

Many of us are diligently taking the family photos but how many of our memories will be sent forward to enrich future generations? Leave a lasting family legacy and debunk the following myths...

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Although taking pictures has become easier with the advent of digital photography, making sure they are preserved and make it to the next generation isn't always so easy.

According to a national Harris Poll survey commissioned by PicturesMatter, 61% of digital camera owners said they had lost digital images in numerous ways due to computer problems, deletion from a camera or computer or because of lost or stolen hardware. To minimize your risks, frequent backups on an external hard drive and double backups on DVD-RAM storage disks are necessary.

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Despite these precautions, however, there are a lot of questions concerning long-term digital preservation and the best way to preserve digital information is still being explored.

Not if you rely on oral history alone to tell the story. How many times have you looked at an old photo and didn't know who the people were or even the occasion?

Details keep memories alive in our minds and sensory information transports us to a special time. Recalling the celebratory noise at a graduation, the feel of our child's tiny hand in ours or the warmth of a shared sunset keeps the event fresh in our minds as the years go by.

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Written, descriptive narrative should accompany photos in order to increase the chance of memory recall and the likelihood that the people and events in our lives will be adequately remembered.

Almost everyone has a shoebox full of memories from photos passed down or from the time before they switched to digital technology. However, the key is finding something meaningful to do with the images before they suffer the ravages of time. By transferring them to a digital format using a scanning service, you can them start to use online tools and create keepsake items to preserve for posterity.

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Memories can be dynamic communications from one generation to the next provided they are properly preserved.

Using online mediums can give you the opportunity to go beyond a traditional photo album and take advantage of various computer applications, templates and programs to create a treasure that is uniquely yours. Family history especially can come alive and be passed on in a way that is informative, engaging and personal.

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In our hectic lives, it's easy to put off preserving our legacy until we have time, but unfortunately unless we do, our story may go untold. Future generations can benefit from the path we've walked and the life lessons we've learned.

Memories are more than just snapshots in time; they are the special times and unique stories we alone have to tell. Preserve them now and make sure they make it to the next generation. Years from now, they can give your descendents information on who they are and who they can become.

About the author: Glenda Logan-Glover, President of Preserving Sentiments, LLC writes and speaks extensively on the importance of preserving your memories and legacy to benefit future generations. Preserving Sentiments captures memories and sends them forward in time so that loving ties can be strengthened.