Scrapbooking for Future Genealogists

It’s half term here in the UK and while the other members of my family are either working or studying for exams, I’m taking some time out to continue my daughters’ scrapbooks.

As a professional genealogist, on the rare occasions a client presents you with a stack of photographs, letters, written family anecdotes and newspaper clippings, my heart sings a little. What a treat to be able to collate all of these and weave them into the narrative of an ancestor’s life.

But what will happen when future genealogists are searching for information on you or your children? There are, of course, a plethora of social media sites out there but they may not have access to those and to be honest they will surely look very different in 100 years from now.

A scrap book is a perfect place to record birthdays, family stories, holidays, achievements and participation in plays, sporting events and family gatherings. Although there are digital alternatives, I’ve always preferred the physical book and the process of snipping and sticking.

It’s a bit of a running joke in my family that whenever we go out I always need to grab a business card or a leaflet, save the receipt or ticket; I can hear cries of ‘Scrapbook, scrapbook’ as I dash to the information desk to see what I can gather.

You’ll need a scrapbook, some fancy pens, glue and some stickers…and a bit of time to put it all together, but the end result is a precious record that is a joy to flick through on a rainy afternoon. And if anyone is interested in us in years to come, hopefully it will be there to assist those future genealogists and maybe make their heart sing too.