What is the best software to burn my family videos to DVD?

What is the best software to burn my family VHS videos to DVD?

Are you worried about your family history being lost due to outdated formats like VHS? If so, you are not alone: now that VHS players are no longer being produced, you are right to worry because once your VHS players stop working it means that you can no longer enjoy your family movies.

And what will happen with the next generation, who aren’t going to have old VHS players in the garage?

Sharing family films with your children, especially films which feature family members who have passed away will be nearly impossible if you leave them on VHS. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave your family movies on VHS to rot away. Transferring them to DVD is the first step to preserving them for future generations and making them accessible to watch for other people in your family who want to enjoy family history. To do this, you will need the right software and tools.

Let’s take a closer look at the best software you can use to transfer your family movies from VHS to DVD.

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus

This is the most accessible software that anyone with access to a computer should be able to use. With the Roxio software, you will be able to connect your VHS player or camcorder right to your computer using a USB device. From there, all you have to do is use the installed Roxio software to capture the movies, transfer them and then burn them onto a DVD or even convert them into files you can store on your phone, the digital cloud, Facebook or YouTube. Best of all, the Roxio software isn’t just a convertor: you can actually stabilize shaky old home videos, trim them if you want, or split them into different DVDs by theme, year, and people who are in the film, and so on. For example, you could create a DVD solely of children’s Christmas concerts, family birthday videos, and so on.

Golden Videos VHS to DVD Converter

Like Roxio, this is fairly accessible software that allows you to easily convert family movies on VHS to DVD. This software works similarly to the Roxio software. You connect your VHS player to your computer, use the software to capture and transfer the footage, and from there you can burn it onto DVD or convert it into a file that can be shared online or stored in the cloud. There are some more complex video editor tools with this software, such as automatic stabilization and the ability to add subtitles and even special effects. If you are looking to do more than simply capture the videos as-is, then this is a good software option that will let you play around with your family videos in a more complex way.

Remember: VHS tapes do not last forever. If you are worried about sharing home movies with your children and grandchildren and others in your family, then make sure you back them up to DVD so they can be cherished forever.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

Which are the best DNA test sites available in the UK?

The best DNA test sites available in the UK.

DNA testing is more accessible than ever thanks to the nearly endless DNA testing sites that let you analyze your DNA to find out more about your family history. Who hasn’t wanted to find out more about family history than what can be found in old family photographs and family memories? If you are from the UK, you have several notable options when it comes to choosing a DNA testing site. The following are the best DNA testing sites you should consider when you want to know more about your family history in a genetic and ancestral sense.

Ancestry

Ancestry is the best DNA testing option if you are looking to find relatives, since it has a wide database and many users who are also actively looking for relatives. There are an estimated 6 million people who have their DNA samples available for relative matching, so chances are fairly high you may be able to find people related to you through this test. It will cost about £79, so it's about middle of the road when it comes to cost.

23AndMe

23AndMe is one of the newest and certainly the most popular of the DNA testing sites, thanks to its unique results which focus on helping you understand where your ancestry comes from as well as any health risks associated with your genetic material. This test is good for finding out what percentage of a certain heritage (such as Irish, Italian, etc.) you have as well. The full test including genetics and health will cost you £149, but if you just want the genetic DNA testing, it costs £79.

LivingDNA

Living DNA covers a lot of bases, including testing for both autosomal, mtDNA and Y-DNA. This means you'll have access to more detailed results compared to other DNA testing sites, which tend to only test one type. Living DNA will cost £99, so it’s a bit above middle of the road in regards to its cost. 

Family Tree DNA

FamilyTreeDNA has the most expansive potential of all active DNA testing sites since it offers multiple bundles for different types of DNA testing options, but this is well reflected in the price. A basic autosomal DNA test is around £60, but if you are looking for more detailed results, you'll need to buy additional packages that add more to the final cost. For instance, the highly detailed 500-marker Y-DNA test costs a stunning £479.

MyHeritage DNA

MyHeritage DNA is currently the least expensive DNA testing option out there, as it costs about £75 for the full package. There is an optional subscription fee if you want to use certain site features, but if you are simply looking to find out more about your genetic heritage than you won't necessarily need a subscription. This test does allow you to find DNA relatives and create a family tree in addition to the genetic testing.

If you are looking for DNA testing sites in the UK, make sure you consider the above websites. 

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.

5 Gift Ideas to give your father.

5 Gift ideas to give your father.

It can be hard to pick out the perfect presents for your family, especially when it comes to picking out gifts for your parents. If you are looking for the perfect gift to give your dad this year, something that will make him smile and remember old family memories, then take a look at these 5 gift ideas you can get for your dad.

Restored Old Family photographs

Old family photographs can make for a great present, especially when you take the time to restore them. Restoring old family photographs that have wrinkles, tears, discoloration, and other issues will help your dad see them as they were meant to be seen: cherished mementos of family history that can be enjoyed for generations to come. 

To learn how to restore your photographs click here.

To check out the best free photo editing software to restore old pictures click here.

Customized Photo Mug

One way to gift your dad family memories this year is to order a customized photo mug. A customized photo mug will let him get a long look at his cherished family history every time he drinks coffee in the morning or hot cocoa on a cold winter night. If you don’t think he’d cherish a mug, consider other customized photo gift options, such as blankets, clocks, books, shirts, tote bags and more. To make this type of gift truly special, make sure you choose photos that are special to your dad. This can include photos of his children, grandchildren; his siblings, parents; as well as photos of his partner. 

Drawings from the Grandkids

There are few things more precious to parents than special drawings or crafts from their grandkids or even great-grandkids. These drawings can be a special part of family history, as they get passed down from generation to generation. If you want to make them more special than simple doodles, have the grandkids or great-grandkids draw them on nicer paper or put the drawings in a frame afterward.

Family Video DVD

Family history is special, which is why everyone loves to watch family videos from time to time. You can help grandad watch the videos whenever he wants by transferring important home movies to a DVD that he can watch on his DVD player. You can even customize home movie DVDs with features like menus, special effects and subtitles with the right program. This is definitely a gift that grandpas will appreciate, especially if you have videos of family members who have since passed on.

To check out how to make a family video from photographs click here.

To check out how to share family videos online privately click here.

Family legacy quote book .

If want to preserve family history, you should look beyond family photos and family home movies. Quotes are something that can stay with you for the rest of your life, and what better way to share family memories and history with dad than to create a family legacy quote book filled with sayings from people in the family? This book can include scans and transcriptions from letters passed down through the family, along with quotes and sayings from people in the family who are still around. Like the scrapbook, this gift isn’t just something that dad will enjoy—it is something that can play a large part in passing down family history in the years to come.

To learn how to create a scrapbook on family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here.

To learn how to write a family recipe book click here.

To learn how to write a family history poem click here.

If you are looking for a great gift for your dad this year, consider the above 5 ideas.

What Did Your Family Do On VE Day?

What Did Your Family Do On VE Day?

VE day is a time when everyone commemorates the Allied Victory in Europe during WW2. Many families get together to commemorate VE day and celebrate the sacrifice that countless European soldiers made to secure the Allied victory in 1945. What did your family do together on VE day? Let’s take a closer look at what many families in Europe are doing to commemorate this day.

What Did Your Family Do On VE Day?

Every family commemorates VE day in their own special way. Did you do any of the following activities together as a family on VE Day?

Look at old photographs?

If your family had family members who were active as soldiers or other members of the Allied armed forces during WW2, you may have some old family photographs related to them. Photos of your soldier family member in their uniform or even photos they took while fighting in Europe are all staples of a family photo album on VE Day. Family history is so often preserved through old family photographs, and the memory of family members who fought—and perhaps even died—during the war is one way to commemorate VE Day.

Talk about military family history?

If your family history includes a family member who was serving in the military during WW2, then you may talk about your family’s military history on VE Day. Family members who were alive during the war may share their stories or, if they have all passed on, their children and relatives may discuss what they knew about their family’s history during this time period. Sharing family history stories such as these is essential for preserving people’s memory and personal stories for future generations. If you haven’t already done so, you should record these stories in some manner—such as recording them as a video—so that they can be backed up and passed down to future generations. 

Click here to learn how to how to conduct a family history virtual video interview with an older family member.

Compile important military related family history documents?

If your family does have people who were serving in the military during this time period, then you may have spent VE day working hard to compile important family history related documents. This could include service member papers, identification cards, letters that they wrote home, and so on. These documents should be compiled together and then preserved, since the original documents are likely fragile and could become damaged or lost over time. The best way to back up old photos is to digitize them, so if you haven’t done so already, then your family should do this with every important family history related document.

VE Day is a time when families get together to commemorate the sacrifice and lives that helped make the Allied Victory in Europe possible. If you and your family got together this VE Day, think about what you did to commemorate this important historical date—and consider what you will be doing next  year as a family to put together your own family’s military history and personal connection to VE Day.

Fun family history activities to do whilst in lockdown.

Fun family history activities to do whilst in lockdown.

When you’re stuck at home during self-isolation, it’s easy to get bored. However, one of the keys to keeping your mind active during this period of self-isolation is to find something you can do every day, if only for a few hours at a time. One great and fun thing you can do are family history related activities; these activities will help you learn more about your family history, preserve family memories, and even work on a family tree. The following are some fun and entertaining family history activities that you can do right from home during lockdown. 

Work on your family tree

Family trees help you understand more about your past while preserving your family history for the future. Working on your family tree is a fun way to expand your family history knowledge while working towards a practical goal that can be shared with the rest of your family in the near future. If you haven’t started your family try, look up some simple guides online so you can start off on the right foot. If you already have, then start dedicating an hour or so every day towards work on your family tree.

What is the best software for doing a family tree? We show you just Click Here!

Create a family memories scrapbook

Arts and crafts are a great way to spend your time during self-isolation. A scrapbook filled with family memories will not only occupy your mind, but help you recall some of your favorite personal and family memories along the way. Scrapbooks have the potential to be truly creative, so don’t feel limited to using photographs alone; mementos, stickers, ribbons, and persona drawings can all be fit into scrapbooks. Don’t forget to take photos and share your scrapbook with your family on social media, too!

Click Here! To learn how to make a family history scrapbook.

Click Here! To learn how to make a family recipe book.

Encourage family members to write journal entries

The world is experiencing a monumental and historically important event right now, so why not help your family (whether they are at home with your or living elsewhere) help preserve history by encouraging them to start their own journal? Journal entries written during this time period could even be useful for publishers and historians in the future, in addition to being something to keep their minds occupied in the present. If you can, get a dedicated notebook for each family member so that they will have their own special place to write journal entries. 

Want to learn how to write a poem about your family history? Click Here!

Want to learn how to make art from granny’s words of wisdom? Click Here!

Share family history on a video call

If your family members have phones, tablets or computers that can access video calls, you can set up a family history video call where everyone can get together and start talking about their favorite family memories. This activity will help you socialize and connect with your family even if you aren’t actually in the same room. If you can, record the video call so that any history and memories discussed during the call will be preserved.

Click here to learn how to how to conduct a family history virtual video interview with an older family member.

It can be easy to get bored during this period of self-isolation, but if you are looking for something to keep you and your family occupied during these long days, don’t hesitate to choose one of the above fun family history activities. 

To discover what good things you have learned from your parents click here.

To discover whether we should record dark family histories click here.

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

To learn more about the Trafalgar Cemetery, Gibraltar, click here. 

How to record a virtual interview with an older family member.

How to record a virtual interview with grandma.

Staying safe right now means staying at home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take this time to explore your family history. If you want to learn more about your family history and preserve it for current and future generations, then you may want to record an interview with a family member. Naturally, in person interviews are not safe right now—but you can do a virtual interview from lockdown that will help you learn more about your family history. The following is a guide on how you can record a virtual interview with an older family member right now.

Step One: Choose Software For Virtual Interviews

The first thing you need to do is choose the right software or platform for your virtual interview. This will largely depend on what the older family member is able to access from their home. The following are some of the most common software, apps or platforms that can be used to conduct a virtual interview.

FaceTime

If both you and your older family member have Apple phones or tablets, then you can use FaceTime to connect with each other through a video call. FaceTime is very simple to use, so if you have the ability to access this option, it is a great choice for older family members.

Skype

If both of you don’t have Apple products, then you will need to turn to an alternative. One alternative includes Skype, which allows for audio-only calls, video calls as well as messaging. Skype can be used on the phone, computer, and tablets. 

Zoom

Zoom has become much more popular recently, thanks to its innovative features which allow users to add backdrops, use filters, record and much more. Zoom is a good option if you want to talk to multiple family members during the same interview, so if you would like to talk to people in multiple houses, consider giving Zoom a try.

Step Two: Set up a way to record the interview

Next, you will need to find a way to record the interview. Some platforms will have built-in recording capabilities, but if they don’t you will need to find an external device that can record the phone call. The simplest way to do this is set up a tablet, phone or computer camera and have it record you on video as you conduct the interview.

Click here to learn tips on how to interview an older family member remotely.

Step Three: Prepare a list of questions

Before you begin the interview, make sure you have a list of questions that you definitely want to ask. A list will help to ensure that you don’t forget anything important and can keep you on track during the interview process.

Click here for are a list of 10 questions to ask your parents!

Step Four: Interview 

The last step is to conduct the interview itself. Make sure that you and your family member can see each other if you are doing a video call, and instruct your family member to sit facing a window to get the best natural light.

Click here for some tips on how to film your parents with a smartphone.

Remember the above guide when you are ready to conduct an interview with an older family member during this period of self-isolation.

To discover what good things you have learned from your parents click here.

To discover whether we should record dark family histories click here.

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

To learn more about the Trafalgar Cemetery, Gibraltar, click here.

What is the best software for doing a family tree?

What is the best software for doing a family tree?

If you want to preserve your family history for future generations, one of the best things you can create is a family tree. A family tree is more than just compiling data: it is a way to take family memories and turn them into a concrete look at who you are, who your family is—and who your family was in the past. It is a visual look at the past, present and future generations of your family. Family trees are the perfect companion to albums of old family photographs as well, since they can help you figure out “who’s who” in the album. 

If you are looking to do a family tree, you will want to use family tree software so that your family history is presented in a professional way. The following are the 3 most popular family tree software programs that you can use to turn your family memories into an informational family tree.

Family Tree Builder

Family Tree Builder is a free to use software that is related to the official ancestry-based MyHeritage site. Family Tree Builder is simple to use and is highly accessible even for people who are brand new to the idea of creating their own family tree. The program is very intuitive, has an extensive help section to assist you in case you aren’t sure what to do, and is designed to let you input and view your family tree in a simple yet visually accessible manner. 

Family Tree Builder is integrated with MyHeritage, so any information relevant to your tree from that site can be easily inputted into your family tree using this software. MyHeritage has a helpful advice forum that can help you if you get stuck or need advice.

There is one primary downside to this program: some of the features are subscription only, so you will likely need a subscription to MyHeritage if you want to access some of the more detailed features. 

RootsMagic

RootsMagic is a paid program that focuses heavily on the informational aspect of building a family tree. It can sync information with Ancestry.com as well as FamilySearch, which is helpful for anyone who uses those sites. It also comes with built-in online support and tons of printable options including maps where you can visually chart where your family comes from or has lived and plenty of other unique options.

The primary downside to RootsMagic is that the style is very text-based and old school, which can be bland or frustrating for some users.

Family Tree Maker

Family Tree Maker is an extensive paid software that comes with tons of features, including but not limited to: a built in image editor perfect for old family photographs, color coding options, options to sync multiple trees, and collaboration tools.

The primary downside to this program is that you can only sync 3 trees, which may be limited for some families.

No matter what family tree program you decide to use, you will definitely have fun creating a long-lasting tree for your family to cherish in the next generation and beyond.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

How to create a scrapbook on family history.

How to create a scrapbook on family history

Family history is something that should be treasured and passed down—but sometimes you want to have a bit more fun with old family photographs than simply sticking them inside a regular album. One of the best options to consider when you want to create a home for family memories is to create a scrapbook. Scrapbooks are fun to make and they’re a good way to exercise some creativity. Children are especially fond of making scrapbooks because it combines arts and crafts with a family bonding session, where you can sit together with your kids and tell family history stories while sticking copies of old family photos into a colorful book.

If you want to know how to turn your family memories into a scrapbook, read on!

Step One: Get a scrapbook base

The first step is to get or create your scrapbook base. You can purchase premade blank scrapbooks at many craft stores or you can purchase blank scrapbook paper and bind it together with a binder (three-ring or otherwise). Make sure you consider whether or not it’s easy to add pages to the base before you buy or create it—the easier it is to add new blank pages, the easier it will be to add more to your family history scrapbook.

Step Two: Gather your pictures

Next, gather all the pictures and family mementos you want to put inside your scrapbook. Its best with photographs—old family photographs and new—to scan them and then print out copies to use for the scrapbook. This way, the original photographs aren’t lost! 

You can either plan to paste the entire photo into your scrapbook or cut/shape it into various shapes, such as round, hearts, and so on. For a super creative touch, consider using craft scissors that will add a decorative border to your cut photos.

Step Three: Choose accessories and accents 

Don’t forget to pick out some accessories and accents, such as stickers, makers to add names or captions, glitter, and anything else you might want to stick inside the scrapbook. If you have any physical mementos you want to use, such as personal objects, make sure you pick out the proper adhesive that won’t damage the item. For instance, avoid acidic adhesives on old paper or fabric, as this may damage the object.

Step Four: Put the scrapbook together

Now it’s time for the most exciting part: turning your family memories into a scrapbook! This is a great family activity that you can do on a rainy afternoon with your kids or even do at a family scrapbooking party. Put on some music, lay out everything you’ll need on the table or floor, and start piecing it together page by page. 

Remember, family history is something that should be preserved—so doesn’t let those old family photographs and other memories sit in drawer to be forgotten. A scrapbook is a fun way to remember family for years to come.

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

How to write a poem about your family history?

How to write a poem about your family history?

Writing about your family history doesn’t have to be all clinical details and simple family trees. One of the most unique ways you can preserve your family history, share family memories and even explore the stories in old family photographs is through creative writing. More specifically, creative poetry. Poetry is an artistic literary expression that allows you to share your thoughts, feelings, and even the details of family history with your friends, family and even the world. The following is a simple guide on how to write a poem about your family history.

Types of Poems for Your Family History

First, you’ll need to consider the type of poem you want to base on your family history. There are a nearly endless amount of poetry types, but the following are some common types that are frequently used for writing about people and families.

Haikus

Traditional haikus are about nature, but that doesn't mean you can't play around with the style. A haiku is a stylistic, simple poem with a stanza consisting of three lines. The first line should have 5 syllables, the second should have 7 syllables, and the third should have 5 syllables.

Acrostic Poems 

An acrostic poem is a poem that spells out a word or name using the first letter of each line; the poem itself is meant to describe the person or thing being spelled with the first letter of each line. This type of poetry works very well if you are writing about specific people in your family, such as people in old family photographs.

Free Verse

Free verse poetry is, as the name suggests, not bound by particular rules or style. You can do whatever you’d like with a free verse poem, so have fun with it!

Tips for Writing Family History Poetry

The following are some simple tips you can follow when you’re writing poems about your family history.

Tip: Write a few drafts of each poem

Poems don’t have to be “final” the second you finish them. You can write one, two or even more drafts of each poem until you’re happy with the final work. Drafts are especially important when you want to improve your writing.

Tip: Have your poems bound professionally 

If you want your poetry to be displayed and preserved for future generations, consider using a book binding service to have the poems bound professionally. It is not every expensive to get this service in today’s print-on-demand age, so you can even have multiple copies bound for other people in your family.

Tip: Be creative

Poetry is all about creative expression, so don’t limit yourself to clinical details. Get creative with your poetry, especially if you’re writing about history that you were personally a part of; the more details and feelings you know, the better you will be able to express that history in a poem.

Remember, there’s more than one way to preserve family history—writing poetry is a creative way to keep family memories alive for the future.

To learn how to create a scrapbook on family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

Family History gifts to give Mum

Title: Family History gifts to give Mum

Family History Gifts to Give Mum

Are you looking for the perfect gift to give Mom for Mother’s Day, her birthday, Christmas or simply a “just because” occasion? Then you’ll want to look deep into your family history for the perfect gift that will have her smiling for days. The following are some great ideas for family history related gifts that are just perfect for mom.

Family photograph blankets

If you have lots of family photographs, then you’ll definitely want to consider gifting mom a customized family photographs inspired blanket that will be brimming with family memories. There are plenty of places you can order these types of blankets online, and most shops that offer customized blankets will give you options regarding trim colors, materials, size and more. For best results, use high resolution scans so the photos won’t be blurry. 

Bound photo album with photographs

If your mom is the type of person to want to browse through photo albums and think about their favorite family memories, then a bound photo album with photograph prints is a great gift option. A bound photo album will look professional and hold a special place on mom’s bookshelf or coffee table. 

Family film compilation DVD

Family history isn’t just about photos: for a family history gift for mom, try collecting family videos as well! There is various software options out there that will allow you to compile home videos into a burnable DVD that mom can pop into her DVD player the next time she wants to enjoy family memories captured on film.

To learn how to make a video from photos click here.

To find out which is the best software to burn family videos to DVD with, click here.

Family history scrapbook with personal mementos 

If you don’t want to go with a plain photo album, why not create a family history scrapbook? Scrapbooks can include multimedia materials ranging from photos to stickers and even tangible objects like fabric, medals, and much more. A well-crafted family history scrapbook will not just be treated by mom but will become a part of family history itself, especially if you take the time to create a scrapbook that is well-rounded and nicely made. Remember not to limit yourself when it comes to creativity for the scrapbook!

To learn how to do a family history scrapbook, click here!

Family legacy quote book 

If want to preserve family history, you should look beyond family photos and family home movies. Quotes are something that can stay with you for the rest of your life, and what better way to share family memories and history with mom then to create a family legacy quote book filled with sayings from people in the family? This book can include scans and transcriptions from letters passed down through the family, along with quotes and sayings from people in the family who are still around. Like the scrapbook, this gift isn’t just something that mom will enjoy—it is something that can play a large part in passing down family history in the years to come.

If you are looking for a family history related gift for a mom who loves preserving family memories for the future, then consider one or more of the above gift options.

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn how to get started in genealogy click here.

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To learn how to make art from Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

Family History: Should we record the lives of our pets?

Should we record the lives of our pets?

Family history isn’t just about the people—the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who make our lives joyful and memorable; it is also about the pets. Family pets play such an important part of our lives, and have done so generations. Who hasn’t seen old family photographs with a young boy holding a beloved family dog or a girl feeding a carrot to a beloved family rabbit? Family pets are just as important to our family history as any other element, which is why you should record the lives of your pets as a way to preserve their memory and place in the family for the future.

Tips for Recording Lives of Your Pets

There are many ways that you can record the lives of your family pets so that they are part of preserved family history. The following are the best ways you can record the lives of your pets for future generations to enjoy.

Making Family Movies

First, you’ll need to make sure that family parts are part of family movies! When you are recording family movies, don’t forget to move the camera down and capture the family dog wagging his tail and hoping for someone to toss him a treat; or look around and capture your daughter petting the family cat while she sits and purrs on her lap. Movies are a great way to preserve family history, especially when it comes to pets.

Taking Photos

One day, the photos you take of your pets will become the “old family photographs” for another generation. You should make sure to take plenty of photos of your family pets, whether they’re playing by themselves or snuggled up in bed with the kids. Photos can be a bit trickier if the pet has a habit of running around, but look for the right moments when they’re calm enough to stay still. You can even add your family pets to portrait photo sessions if you want something less spur of the moment. 

Writing Down Memories/Facts

You can also preserve your pet’s family history by writing down memories about them, along with any basic facts that can add detail to their story and history. For instance, if you know the history of the pet—such as their breed, when they were born, whether they were adopted from a shelter, etc.—you can write this information down to be preserved. Memories are another important element of recording pet’s history in the family. If it helps, write about them in letters that will be preserved for future generations, so that family in the future will know just how many the family pets added to your lives. 

Creating a Scrapbook

Finally, you can create a scrapbook which is a combination of photos, written memories, and even trinkets such as old collars, dog tags, or even a snip of fur. Scrapbooks are a great way to create interesting memorabilia albums that people will love to flip through on holidays and visits.

Don’t forget to preserve your family pet history for future generations to enjoy!

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

To learn how to write a family recipe click here

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

Making art from granny‘s words of wisdom.

Making art from granny‘s words of wisdom.

Some of the most important family memories that we cherish can be found in the words of wisdom given to us by our elders. Grandmothers are well known for their wisdom, whether it’s in the form of telling us about family history that just so happens to come with life lessons—or in the form of her trademark advice given to multiple generations of the family. “Never leave for a vacation without an extra pair of clothes,” “Always say I love you before you leave the door,” and other pearls of wisdom are something every family wants to cherish and remember.

One of the best ways you can cherish your grandmother’s words of wisdom is by making art inspired by her famous words. The art you create will be just as cherished as old family photographs, since it helps to pass down granny’s legacy. Let’s take a closer look at some tips you can follow to make art inspired by granny’s words of wisdom.

Tips for Making Art from Granny’s Wisdom

There are many different ways you can make art from granny’s wisdom; the following tips are some of the best you can follow to make the process easier and even more creative.

Tip: Use stencils to make neat uniform letters

Whether you’re drawing, embroidering, painting or any other type of creative exercise, you’ll want to make sure that the words of wisdom can be actually read. The best way to do this is use stencils to make neat uniform letters that everyone will be able to read. Stencils are best when the art is on the bigger side, since many people have difficulty enlarging their handwriting to a significant degree. 

Tip: Explore with different types of art aside from drawing/painting

Although drawing and painting are the most common types of art you can make inspired by granny’s words of wisdom, don’t limit yourself to these two mediums. Consider making embroidery or cross stitch designs; embellishing a cushion with embroidery, sequins and other accents; and even other art techniques such as jewelry making. The sky is the limit here, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Tip: Go wild with embellishments

The art inspired by granny’s words of wisdom should look amazing, and you don’t want to skimp on the embellishments. Sequins, glitter, vibrant colors, stickers and other decorative accents are a great way to take any art piece and kick it up a few notches. 

Tip: Consider making art that can be easily displayed

Of course, you’ll want people to see the art you made inspired by the wisdom of your granny! The best way to do this is make art that can be easily displayed right away, such as drawings or paintings that fit in standard frames; embroidery on hoops that can be hooked with an ornament hook or string; and so on.

Granny’s words of wisdom are a cherished part of family history and family memories; make art from her wisdom so that it, like old family photographs, can be enjoyed by generations to come.

To learn how to make a family recipe book click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

Tips on how to sort out a recently deceased parent's attic.

Tips on how to sort out a recently deceased parent's attic.

When a parent dies, they leave behind countless objects and mementos that their family must consider going through. For many people, the prospect of sorting out a recently deceased parent’s attic is a daunting one. However, it is a necessary task for many reasons; including the fact that sorting out a recently deceased parent’s attic can yield important family memories such as old family photographs, family history souvenirs, and more. The following are some tips on how you can sort out your parent’s attic after their passing.

Set up bins for important documents

You should always set up some bins before you start working that will be used to store any important documents, such as family trees, birth certificates, hospital records, and so on. These bins will make sure that you don’t lose this important paperwork while you’re sorting through the attic. 

Have boxes and padded wrapping on hand for fragile items

There may be fragile items in your parent’s attic, such as fragile glass ornaments from their childhood, old crafts that they kept which were passed down from generation to generation, and so on. Before you start going through the attic, make sure you have padded wrapping (such as bubble wrap and packing material) on hand so you can wrap up fragile items and safely store them in a box or container. 

Keep the people sorting to a minimum

It can be tempting to have everyone in the family over to sort through a recently deceased parent’s attic. And while having some family there can help bring up good family memories as you find interesting objects and mementos, it’s important to keep the people to a minimum. The reason for this is that too many people will make the process unnecessarily complicated; it can also result in some arguments regarding where certain objects should go, what should be done with them, and so on. It’s better to keep the sorting to a smaller amount of people so that the task of delegating who gets what can be done after in a more appropriate setting.

Find out whether your parent had wishes/intentions for certain items

If you can, find out before you start sorting if your parents had any particular wishes or intentions for certain items. It’s better to know beforehand so you can set these items aside to make it easier to give them to their intended recipient. 

Don’t forget to look through sealed boxes and containers

Remember not to leave any “stone unturned,” so to speak. You never know where old family photographs or other family history objects have been stored, so make sure to look through sealed boxes and containers.

Let yourself take a break if you need to do so

Sorting through the attic of a recently deceased parent can be emotionally and physically draining. Let yourself take a break if you need to get your bearings, have a cry, or otherwise take a rest.

When you’re sorting out a recently deceased parent’s attic, don’t forget the above tips.

Trafalgar Cemetery Gibraltar

Trafalgar Cemetery Gibraltar

The Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805) was a naval engagement fought by the British Royal Navy against the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies during the War of the Third Coalition (August–December 1805) of the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815).

As part of an overall French plan to combine all French and allied fleets to take control of the English Channel and enable Napoleon's Grande Armée to invade England, French and Spanish fleets under French Admiral Villeneuve sailed from the port of Cádiz in the south of Spain on 18 October 1805. They encountered the British fleet under Admiral Lord Nelson, recently assembled to meet this threat, in the Atlantic Ocean along the southwest coast of Spain, off Cape Trafalgar, near the town of Los Caños de Meca.

Villeneuve was uncertain about engaging, and the Franco-Spanish fleet failed to fully organize. In contrast, Nelson was decisive, organizing the British fleet into two columns sailing straight into the enemy to pierce its wavering lines.

In a fierce battle, 27 British ships of the line fought 33 French and Spanish ships of the line. Although the lead ships of the British columns were heavily battered, with Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory nearly disabled, the greater experience and training of the Royal Navy overcame the greater numbers of the French and Spanish navies.

The Franco-Spanish fleet lost 22 ships; the British lost none. During the battle, Nelson was shot by a French musketeer, and he died shortly before the battle ended. Villeneuve was captured along with his flagship Bucentaure. He later attended Nelson's funeral while a captive on parole in Britain. Admiral Federico Gravina, the senior Spanish flag officer, escaped with the remnant of the fleet. He died five months later from wounds sustained during the battle.

The Trafalgar Cemetery is a cemetery in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Formerly known as the Southport Ditch Cemetery, it occupies a small area of land just to the south of the city walls, in what had been a defensive ditch during the period of Spanish rule of Gibraltar. (1)

To move forward and face our future, it’s important to first know where we come from and who we are. There are parts of our history that need to be uncovered like a buried treasure, unfolding right before our eyes. If you have an ancestor that fought and died in the Gibraltar area during the period of 1708-1835 the chances are they will be buried here. Have a look at the Cemetery map with the list of tombstones numerically indexed below.

Death stones are an important part of family history

Family history isn’t just about weddings or births or photos of family homes—death is just as much an important part of family history as people’s lives. Death stones provide key information regarding the year and usually the day and month that people died, along with their birth date; death stones can also provide information regarding where people died or where family plots are located. And in some cases, depending on the style of the stone itself, they can provide an interesting insight into family history. For instance, some death stones may contain quotes, poetry or imagery that was important or relevant to a person in their life. 

You can truly preserve your family’s stories in a unique and meaningful way by encouraging family members to tell their stories while being filmed—as well as the stories of any family members who have passed away and are no longer with us. For instance, your mother might sit with a photo of her great-aunt, and explain the history of the woman in the photograph. Who was she? When was she born? What was she like? What did she do?  This way, the story of the great aunt (which otherwise would be lost to time) is passed on for the next generation. Check out our article on How to Film a Family Interview with your Smartphone here. 

The other option you have is to call us! We could film your own family documentary for you and your family (and future generations) to enjoy!

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

(1) Wikipedia

Which is the best free photo editing software

The best free photo-editing software.

Family photos are an important part of preserving family history. They can be preserved, shared and passed down from generation to generation so that everyone can learn their family history and pass on the legacy of those who came before them. However, not all old family photographs are able to stand the test of time. Family photos can become damaged through creasing, damage due to being stored in photo albums made with certain types of glue, paper or plastic; and a number of other issues that cause family photos to look less than their best.

Thankfully, with the digital age, it is easier than ever to fix family photos using photo editing software.

The following are the best free photo editing software programs to check out if you want to preserve your family history by restoring family photos to their former glory.

Retouch Pilot Lite

Retouch Pilot Lite is ideal for retouching old family photographs. This program is free to use and has simple retouching features that can handle the most common issues suffered by old photographs, including resolving problems like missing pieces of photographs, presence of creases or scratches, moisture spots and more. The program is simple to use, so even people without photo editing softwareexperiencecan use it to retouch family photos without any trouble.

GIMP

GIMP is a free program that is often called ‘free Photoshop.’ GIMP has plenty of features that allow you to retouch even the most damaged of old family photographs. GIMP has more advanced features and a more complicated set-up than most free programs, so you will likely need to check out some tutorials when it comes to retouching photos with a number of problems. With GIMP you will be able to tackle the most common restorative issues faced by old photos—such as creases, missing pieces, etc.—as well as work with more advanced editing tools. You can play around with brightness and contrast or even resolve color problems, such as reducing yellowing that can occur in photos stored with certain types of glues and plastics.

Pixlr Editor

Pixlr Editor is a web browser based editor that allows you to restore and edit old family photographs. It is not as advanced as GIMP but it provides many more editing options than Retouch Pilot Lite, such as the ability to work with layers. With Pixlr Editor, you can smooth out creases, fill in missing pieces, and even play around with brightness, contrast and color. It is not as powerful as GIMP due to operating out of a web browser, but it is simpler to use and may be the better option if you aren’t ready to tackle a program like GIMP yet.Family photos are a way to preserve your family history for generations to come.

If you want to make sure that they look their best and can be enjoyed by family for years, take a look at the above free photo editing software that can help you restore family photos to their former glory

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.

Gay Family Members and Family History.

Gay family members and family history.

Today, gay family members are finally able to enjoy the same open life that straight family members have enjoyed throughout modern history. However, this was not always the case: in the past, gay family members often had to hide their sexual orientation due to the stigma—social and in some cases, legal—against gay people throughout history. In some cases, we can catch glimpses of past gay family history through old family photographs, old letters, and even family memories. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to preserve the memory of gay family history in your family’s history.

Why Has Tracing and Recording Gay Family History Been Historically Difficult?

Since gay people have not been able to enjoy the same rights, privileges and acceptance as straight people until relatively modern times—remember that it is only in the past 10 years that gay marriage has become legal in many countries—historically, many gay people were not able to be open regarding their lives. This means that there are gaps and misinformation in family history, particularly regarding gay family members. For instance, you might remember an uncle who lived with a friend—they were lovers, but to the outside world, they had to present themselves as “bachelor friends.” 

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

How You Can Start Preserving the History of Gay Family Members

It is important to preserve family memories and family history for future generations, and part of that preservation should include gay family history that has been long overlooked or even forgotten. You can start preserving the history of gay family memories in many ways, including:

Researching family documents for more information about gay family members

This can include looking for old family letters where mentions of their gay relationships may have been written down, looking for documents regarding gay family members who may have lived less than openly with their spouses during a time period, and so on.

Collect old family photographs relevant to gay family history

You can also start looking for old family photographs that are related to gay family history. For instance, look for old photographs of relatives who were unable to be open about themselves during their lifetime. Do they have any photos with their spouse, who was at the time portrayed as a “friend” of the family member? In some cases, there may be old family photographs that were kept hidden that show gay family members having (“unofficial”) weddings or engaged in intimacy such as hugging their same-sex spouse.

Preserve the history through digitization

Whenever you find documents and photos related to gay family history, it’s important to preserve them so that they can be passed down to later generations and shared among current family members. The best way to preserve these documents and photos is through digitization, such as scanning or photographing the documents with a high quality camera. The digital files can then be copied to hard drives, disc and the cloud so that they can be shared with the future generation of the family down the line.

To learn how to back up our old photographs click here.

To learn how to share your old family films safely click here.

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

How to Write a Family Recipe Book

How to Write a Family Recipe Book

Cooking is such an important part of our lives—it not only has the power to keep us healthy and, well, alive, but it can create long-lasting memories that bring a smile to our face and joy to our hearts. And every family has certain family recipes that people love to enjoy for years on end; but what happens when family cooking is lost forever?

Most people only think about the importance of cooking in their family history when it is too late to do anything about it. When grandma passes away and her secret brownie recipe is gone, it can leave a hole in our hearts as we think about family memories of her love-filled treats that will never be shared with future generations.

However, you don’t have to worry about losing memorable and significant family cooking recipes if you write a family recipe book. The following guide will help you preserve your family history and family memories by creating a cookbook that can be preserved for people in the family now—and in the future.

How to Write a Family Recipe Book

Writing a family recipe book is not difficult in terms of the actual writing process, but it does require a lot of patience and dedication to get the recipes that will later be bound together in a book. The following are the basic steps you should follow in order to write a family recipe book of your own.

Write down the recipes you want to have recorded

The first thing you need to do is write down all the recipes you want to have recorded.  Grandma’s cookies? Uncle Jerry’s special chicken wings? This can be a collaborative project with the family. To make things easier, start a group chat or pick one person to be the designated “recipe list keeper” and direct the family to message with the recipes they want in the book. 

Find the people who know the recipe and have them walk you through the process

For each recipe, you will need to know the ingredients and the exact steps they take during cooking. You may want to see if they will actually cook the recipe for you. If you can, record them cooking and explaining the recipe, as this will make it easier to get all the information down later.

If there are a lot of recipes to go through, have a few family memories work with you. In this case, a recording is the best option so you can create standardized recipe pages later on.

Convert recipes into pages for a book

Finally, take the recipes you have written down or recorded and convert them into recipe pages. Recipe pages should be broken down into ingredients, supplies, and then the recipe instructions. If you plan to send the book to multiple family members, you can make the binding process easier by using a print on demand service to make copies automatically.

Creating a family cooking recipe book is hard work, but the preservation of this element of family history is worth it.

The other option you have is to call us! We could film your own cooking show for you and your family (and future generations) to enjoy!

To learn how to write a poem about your family history click here.

To make art out of Granny’s words of wisdom click here

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn how to get started in genealogy click here.

How to Trace Holocaust Survivors and Victims in Your Family History

How to Trace Holocaust Survivors and Victims in Your Family History

January 27th is the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust. But did you know that many families actually lost their family history during the Holocaust, when so many family members died or vanished from historical records? For many families, all that are left of aunts, uncles, grandmothers, cousins—are old family photographs and if they are lucky, family memories passed down from survivors who remembered them. With this in mind, it is no wonder why many people ask themselves how it is possible to trace the family history of Holocaust victims and survivors. The following guide will help you learn more about the possibilities of tracing the fates of Holocaust survivors and Holocaust victims in your family history. 

Finding Basic Information

If you are looking to trace information about a Holocaust victim or Holocaust survivor in your family, you have several options for basic resources. 

However, even the most basic resources will require you to know some basic information about the person, such as their name and if possible, the name where they lived at the time of the Holocaust. If you have this information, look up the town or city where they were living; check out a map and take note of other towns in the immediate area and if you can, search about that area's history during WWII. This may help you find out what the town was called during that time period--if the name has changed--and point you towards potential relatives who could still be in the area.

More Detailed Sources

Next, you'll need to start considering what type of archival tracing sources is available to you. If you have proof that your family member was a survivor or victim of the Holocaust, such as an established death notice or family tree, it will be easier to use these services; priority is typically given to families. 

Options include

• JewishGen's Holocaust Database is a collection of databases containing information about Holocaust victims and survivors.  It contains more than 2.75 million entries, from more than 190 component datasets.

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ITS Request Form.

• The International Tracing Service which operates out of Bad Arolson in Germany. Arolsen Archives

• Yad Vashem, which includes "Pages of Testimony" where survivors or family register the names of people who died in the Holocaust. You may be able to locate a family member due to someone else registering them before you started your own research. Yad Vashem also has both a photo archive and documents archive that can help you learn more about the history of a Holocaust victim in your family.

• In the UK you may contact The Holocaust Educational Trust a registered charity  T +44 (0)20 7222 6822

• In the US you may contact The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Survivor Resource Center at 1-202-488-6112 or 1-202-488-6130 to find out what your options are in regards to locating records related to your family member and their fate.

Remember: it may be difficult to find concrete information about Holocaust survivors and victims in your family history. For many people, very few—if any records—were left behind due to entire towns and even generations of families being killed. However, it is more important now than ever to uncover and record the histories of our families.

Support for Survivors and their families is available from Shalvata and the Association of Jewish Refugees

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn which are the best DNA test sites available in the UK click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

Alzheimer's - Should we record our loved one before the late stages of the illness begins?

Alzheimer's - Should we record our loved one before the late stages of the illness begin?

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most devastating diseases in the world. It is estimated that half a million people in the UK alone suffer from Alzheimer’s disease—which means the over half a million families who are being impacted every day by this terrible and debilitating illness. If you have a family member who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may be struggling with how the disease will impact your loved one in the future. One way that you can preserve the memory of your loved one before the later stages of the disease begin is by creating family movies while they are still in the earliest stages of the disease. If you are interested in how family films can be a tool to help you and your loved ones manage to handle Alzheimer’s in the family, read on. 

Alzheimer’s disease: How It Impacts Our Memories of Loved Ones 

Alzheimer’s disease impacts the mind, memory, and personality of our loved ones. If you have a family member with Alzheimer’s disease, the disease will eventually make it difficult for them to remember you—or even themselves. This terrible disease robs people of their personality, their memories, and even their identity.  

People who have lived through a family member succumbing to the disease often note that one of the most difficult aspects of the disease is the loss of their family members—even when the family member is still alive. Alzheimer’s disease transforms a person, and loved ones can often find it difficult to reconcile the person with the disease with the person they used to be. 

That is where the idea of preserving family history through family movies comes into play. 

How You Can Use Family Films to Capture Memories for Future Generations.  

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, then you no doubt want a way to remember them for who they used to be—not who the disease has turned them into. One of the best ways to do that is to create family films while the loved one is in the earliest stages of the disease. These family movies will become something you can cherish after your loved one passes away, as you will be able to go back and remember them for who they actually were—and not the disease. 

Another reason why you should record loved ones with Alzheimer’s in the early stages of the disease is that you can give them a chance to share their family history while they still can. Recording them talking about their parents, siblings, where they grew up, as well as sharing information about deceased family members whom only they know about are all excellent choices you can consider when creating your family movies. 

Dealing with all of the frustration and emotions that come with a family member who has Alzheimer’s can be difficult, but you can help manage your pain by doing what you can to preserve your family members in family movies forever. 

Check out our 10 questions to ask your parents before it's too late!

To learn which is the best software for doing a family tree click here.

To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.

To learn how to trace holocaust survivors and victims in your family history click here.

To learn whether we should record the lives of our pets click here.

To learn how to research gay family history click here.

How to make family videos from photos?

How to make family videos from photos.

If you have plenty of family photographs but you aren’t sure how to showcase them in the best way, then you may want to turn those ordinary photos into something extraordinary by converting them into family videos. Old family photographs—and new ones, too!—are the perfect way to share family memories with the rest of the family while also preserving them for future generations. If you would like to know how to turn your family photos into videos, thereby securing your family history for future generations to come, consider the following guide to get you started.

How to Make Family Videos from Photos

There are several different options that will help you convert family photos into videos. These options will require you to have the photos you want to use converted into digital files first. The easiest way to do this with existing photographs is to scan them with a scanner that will transfer them right onto your computer or laptop. From there, you can do any editing that needs to be done—such as cropping the photos, rotating them, resolving color or damage issues, and so on. Once the photos are ready, take a look at the following software programs that will allow you to easily and simply convert these photos into a video.

Windows Movie Maker

If you have a computer or laptop with Windows, then you have access to a simple movie making program that is perfect for converting still photos into a fun video that everyone can enjoy watching. This program is simple to understand and will allow you to place dozens of photos into a video frame file. If you want, you can even add subtitles, text, some visual effects as well as music! Once you’re done, the video can then be converted into digital format or even burned onto a DVD disc.

Photo Movie Maker

Photo Movie Maker is a paid software program that allows you to convert still photos into movies. It has more advanced features than the free Windows Movie Maker, which makes it ideal if you are interested in adding more unique effects, transitions, DVD menus and other features that aren’t accessible with free programs. This program also allows you to either burn the finished video onto a DVD, save it as a digital video file, or both. 

MovAvi

MovAvi is one of the oldest and most popular photo and video editing software programs in the world. It is a paid program, but you can download a free trial to test it out and see if it works for you. It has plenty of features that will help you easily convert your old family photographs into an enjoyable video and, like the other programs mentioned, you can add music, effects and other unique touches to the final video.

Remember: your family history is something to cherish and preserve, so don’t forget to share the final video with your family and give them copies that they can keep and pass down to the next generation. 

To learn how to back up your old photos click here.

To learn how to convert old family slides click here.

To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.