Our personal stories and ancestral history are important parts of who we are. They shape our identity, our values, and our understanding of the world. There are so many ways to capture these valuable histories – we can write a memoir, do family research, conduct an audio interview, keep a journal, and so much more. Any way that you have decided to preserve your stories is a great way, because it means that you are doing it!
Now imagine being able to combine all of the ways you’ve worked to keep your and your ancestors’ (and anyone else’s) stories alive into one: audio, written, photos, records, etc. And then on top of that you get the epicness of music and professional editing. Is there any other word to describe this other than *magical*? I honestly don’t think so! I might be biased because I’m a film lover and have been my whole life – but no one can deny the power of a film to make you truly connect to the subject and remember the stories and, perhaps more importantly, the lessons learned.
If my film obsession isn’t enough to convince you, here are five reasons why documentaries are the best way to preserve your personal stories and ancestral history:
That being said, one of the challenges of preserving history is the question, will the generations after this actually read this? Will they understand who I was? Will they understand and value everything I have come to know about this ancestor? This is where you start thinking of the actual format in which these stories are kept and the effectiveness of it.
Like I mentioned, every format is worthy and has great value in preserving stories. Written stories or memoirs are personal and can provide incredible detail. Audio recordings are even better as you get to hear their voice and how they would say things, possibly even get the chance to hear their laugh.
1. They bring your story to life.
As mentioned, documentaries use a combination of interviews, footage, music, and narration to bring your story to life in a way that is engaging and memorable. By telling your story through the medium of film, you can create a powerful emotional connection with your audience.
2. They are timeless.
Since Documentaries are digital, they are a timeless medium that can be enjoyed by future generations. By preserving your story in a documentary, you can ensure that your family history will be remembered for years to come.
3. They can help you reconnect with your past.
Making a documentary about your personal story or your ancestors can be a meaningful and healing experience. It give you the opportunity to gather everything you’ve learned and put it out there all at once. This process can help you to reconnect with your past and what you value and cherish. It can also allow you to gain a deeper understanding of your family’s history and your place in it.
3. They can help you reconnect with your past.
Making a documentary about your personal story or your ancestors can be a meaningful and healing experience. It give you the opportunity to gather everything you’ve learned and put it out there all at once. This process can help you to reconnect with your past and what you value and cherish. It can also allow you to gain a deeper understanding of your family’s history and your place in it.
4. They can be a creative outlet.
Making a documentary can be a fun and creative way to share your story. You can experiment with different styles, music, and editing techniques to create a film that is uniquely yours.
5. They can allow you to truly connect with your posterity.
By sharing your personal story or ancestral history through a documentary, your posterity will be given the chance to see you smile, to hear you laugh, and understand more of the essence of your character. If it’s about your ancestors, your posterity will be able to understand your passion for ancestral work and connect with their ancestors as you have.
Overall, documentaries are a powerful way to preserve your personal stories and ancestral history. Whether you are documenting your own life, the lives of your ancestors, or both, a documentary can help you to connect with your past, share your story, and connect with generations of family to come.
Let EverStory Create It For You
Putting together a documentary alone can be a huge feat. EverStory was created for this purpose – to tell your important stories through personalized documentaries. Our team at EverStory would be so happy to create a beautiful documentary for you with professional filming and editing. Learn more or book your first film shoot today!