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Olga Dahlquist Jenkins

A Journey of Faith

Connecting with your Roots

A photo of the book Ranae made for her ancestor

A work of love

Ranae’s dedication to unearthing her ancestors’ narratives was nothing short of extraordinary. Her commitment was made evident through her tireless research, where she delved into records and pieced together fragments of stories, to form a cohesive and captivating narrative of her lineage. Most notably, she undertook a heartfelt journey to Olga’s homeland in Sweden, tracing the steps her ancestor once walked. This adventure was not only symbolic, but also a testament to Ranae’s drive to understand and connect with her family’s roots. Through Ranae’s efforts, Olga’s story was brought back to life, ready to be shared and appreciated by generations to come.

Film Day

In their welcoming abode, Scott and Ranae greeted us warmly, instantly creating a relaxed and comfortable environment. The natural lighting in their front room was just right – soft and unobtrusive – necessitating only minor adjustments on our end. As we set up our gear, turning their living room into a pop-up film studio with a boom mic, lapel mics, and two cameras, the potentially intimidating sight of the technical setup was eased by Monica’s expert guidance. Undeterred, Ranae was a natural in front of the camera, embracing the essence of ‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ with an ease that was truly inspiring.

Post Production

The first Edit

Ranae’s dedication to unearthing her ancestors’ narratives was nothing short of extraordinary. Her commitment was made evident through her tireless research, where she delved into records and pieced together fragments of stories, to form a cohesive and captivating narrative of her lineage. Most notably, she undertook a heartfelt journey to Olga’s homeland in Sweden, tracing the steps her ancestor once walked. This adventure was not only symbolic, but also a testament to Ranae’s drive to understand and connect with her family’s roots. Through Ranae’s efforts, Olga’s story was brought back to life, ready to be shared and appreciated by generations to come.

Assembling the Pieces

“One of the sheer joys of creating a documentary about our ancestors lies in the jigsaw puzzle of assembling all the elements together. Ranae has been a regular Sherlock Holmes, hunting down pieces of the past with tenacity and passion – everything from historic photographs to Family Search profiles. It was then up to us to turn these fragments of time into a captivating narrative tapestry that brings history to life. We took these valuable assets and created a striking collage that weaved throughout the film, visually punctuating Olga’s extraordinary story. It’s a bit like cooking a grand meal – Ranae sourced the ingredients, and we had the privilege of whipping up a feast for the eyes!”

Gif of the photoshop screen

The Film