Writing a memoir may seem like an exercise in vanity, but in today’s fast-paced world, it may be the best means of preserving family history. Recording memories in book form is in many ways the logical extension of creating a photo album or scrapbook. A memoir becomes a family heirloom that can be passed down from generation to generation. Best of all, technology has made it easier than ever to create and publish a personal history, sharing not just pictures but also experiences and life lessons.

The process to create a literary legacy usually includes hiring a professional. While writing your own memoir sounds good, it is often overwhelming and time-consuming. A personal historian will possess the time and organizational skills necessary. In addition, as an experienced interviewer and writer, a personal historian will be able to listen and record your story in rich and lively detail. A professional will also take on the production tasks including layout, editing and printing.

Kris Risendal is a Midlothian-based personal historian who has a background in both corporate communications and feature writing. Part of a growing trend of writers who enjoy recording the stories of older generations, Kris is also a member of the Association of Personal Historians (www.personalhistorians.org). Inspired by her husband’s great grandmother’s memoir, Kris was motivated to set about turning life experiences into literary legacies. “I was enthralled with her tales of prairie living - from churning butter on the homestead porch to the heartache of getting divorced (virtually unheard of back then). It combined my love of history with the pace of a good novel. She was a very good writer, and when I finished the book I thought to myself, ‘I know this woman.’”

Two years ago, Kris opened Memories Matter, a company that captures a client’s memories in words and pictures. Using 10-12 hours of audio interviews, photos, memorabilia and family records, Kris can create a beautiful hard cover book for her clients. She says, “It is very important for me to capture the unique and authentic voice and viewpoint of my client.” The process itself can take several months, and costs may vary, depending on the size and scope of the project.

While seniors are natural candidates for creating literary legacies so are military veterans or those who have had extraordinary life experiences. Still, Kris points out that while many folks believe their memories are very ordinary, someday they will be extraordinary. “I am sure my husband's great grandmother thought churning butter was the most basic and drab task, but I loved hearing about it. By writing your life story you are ensuring that important family traditions, values and memories are not lost.” Often, literary legacies are inspired by the questions of children and other loved ones. If this is true in your family, consider creating a literary legacy. As Kris says, “When we go, our memories go.”