Letter to the Editor: Record your family history for future generations

To the Editor:

Dear elder community members of Waukon,

As an elder of Waukon and being at the present time having to stay at home, I would like to suggest something each of us can do for our families. You might say my children know all this but everyone forgets so write it down (names in particular). I have been doing some of this for years. Now I must finish it up.

1. Write Your Obituary - Who really knows what you have done or when you did it. We all get born, grow up, go to school and college, get special recognition, get baptized, confirmed, marry, have children and die. What was special about yourself?

2. Family History - Be sure your children and grandchildren know names of grandparents (maiden name of grandma), nationality, if migrated to America, where settled, name changes, locations and special family history stories. Write this all down or videotape. Lots of wonderful history is lost by not bothering to record this. When you are gone, so is your history. Family members now can record this before they are gone and it is not lost forever.

3. Antiques and Heirlooms - Look around the house for what important family items are there. Photograph them and label them. Record where and how you got them and from whom did you get them. What did you pay or were they given. What are the stories behind the pieces (crystal, cut glass, jewelry, etc.). What furniture items came from grandparents and have they been redone. Did you refinish? Consider the value of each piece. Why was it special to you. Remember if you do not like these do not trash, reach out to other family groups. Label items for individuals, have a family auction.

I have to spend time updating my obituary to be sure all important things are included. Also, how I want the service to be conducted. (For example, details like how the family rolled in my mother’s casket come to mind).

I have been looking at furniture. Labeling grandparents’ items, dishes, silver, crystal, depression glass and our wedding gifts. I have been collecting crystal candlesticks for grandchildren wedding gifts someday. I am photographing furniture, old love seats, tables, pictures, etc. of grandparents furniture. I was planning to explore all this at Easter dinner. Who knows what will happen? At least I have it written down and recorded for future generations.

Please spend time writing and recording.

Gerald Piittmann
Waukon