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Memories fade, and even the sharpest brains may struggle to recall them at some point. It can feel emotionally overwhelming when you stumble on old family photos containing loved ones who may be long gone. Family memories are precious, and many good reasons exist to keep them safe. So what if you can make your family memories last for generations? Below are six great ways to effectively preserve your family memories.
- Be selective
You probably have a stockpile of old family photos and videos in your closet collecting dust. While you may want to preserve every one of them, it is best if you would take the time to identify those that are most precious to you. After all, not everything has the same intrinsic worth. It is practical to be selective since you can’t carry everything with you. Consider the items you feel mean more to you and perhaps the ones you feel are worth passing on to younger generations. Being selective doesn’t suggest discarding everything that does not suit that criteria. However, prioritise conserving items of long-term emotional and historical significance.
- Make a digital copy of your old home videos
Let us begin with the most important issue. Because old film breaks down quicker than photographs, you should prioritise saving your old family videos. It would be best if you find an expert to help you convert old films into computer-readable files and ensure that you back them up on your external storage disks. Another good reason to make electronic copies of your old home videos is that you can make them into frame-able stills.
- Scan family photos and upload
Many individuals are unaware that they no longer need to buy a large, expensive scanner to capture and upload images and files to a computer. You can download mobile apps like the GoogleScan App or the Adobe Scan App on your device. You may set up a shared Google drive folder or Dropbox where all of your extended family members may contribute photographs, videos, and papers. This way, everybody can quickly share and view your digital family database of images, films, and documents. Scanning and uploading family pictures can be a straightforward method to ‘gift’ them to everybody without parting with them.
- Get older relatives to record their stories.
You will cherish your family photographs, films, and files for many years. But what if you have a loved one tell their own life story? This can be extremely invaluable. Fortunately, a few subscription services can allow you to set up for yourself or a family member. They may contain dozens of life story questions to make writing a memoir or profiling a loved one simple and uncomplicated. You can respond to each question using text, video, or audio and add photos and music to spice the story. You may readily share the answers with family members and friends through text or email prompts.
- Share memories with your family and community
Preserving your family memories isn’t something you should do alone. After all, you are only one family member, so it makes sense to get everybody involved. You can share your collection and make it available to others to strengthen your bonds with them. Additionally, memories are preserved best when multiple people in various locations keep them. In practice, the copies you produce for them function as backups and can ensure that the memories live on even after you are long gone. You can turn it into a ritual where things are passed down to others during, let’s say, thanksgiving or family gatherings.
- Back them all up
Creating backups of your family memories is a sure way to keep them safe. Now is a good time to back up your family memories if you haven’t done that already. Ideally, you should keep three copies of your files. Consider saving on your computer, an external hard disk, and the cloud. This safeguards you if your PC fails or is stolen during a natural disaster. Because hard drives have a limited lifespan, it’s a good idea to check the health of your drive once in a while. It would be best to watch signs that suggest your hard drive is failing.
For instance, when your computer begins running slowly, it could signal imminent hard drive failure. Some hard disk manufacturers may also provide handy tools to repair any hard disk problems. You may also utilise your PC’s built-in program or clear your PC’s system storage tab to keep it optimised.