The wisdom of older ages

The end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 has taught us many things at Heirloom Biography about the values of heritage preservation and who holds them.

We have always assumed that the children of aging parents were the ones who were most desirous of a clear heritage knowledge - that the aging elders already knew their own story and were less motivated to try and save it. We were surprised, then, when a few seniors approached us to create remembrance videos & books to give as gifts to their families.

One client wanted us to take her

photo album that she started

at age 9, and "fix" it for her child & grandkids. It was well beyond repair, so we disassembled it, scanned all the photos, color-restored them

and created a printed album similar to the original from which multiple copies could be made.

The book was printed on a large format paper and bound into a 60 page book that came out stunning. Although the client doesn't understand how "we made the photos appear in one book while the originals are still in her old album", she has commented that this was the best investment she has made "all during her senior years". Two more copies have been made for her daughter & grandkids. We are now making another book showcasing her mother's handmade stitched samplers that will be donated to the local historical society after her passing. This client is 90 years old and sees well into the future of her heritage!

In another example, we were approached by a man turning 100 who told us that he "had made it" (to 100) and wanted to celebrate his story with his great- great grandkids who visited him but knew nothing of his life. We proceeded to interview him and made a 20 minute video to show at his retirement home birthday party attended by 5 generations of family.

Folks are still emailing us about how amazed they are that "gramps" had so much of a story and his secrets to a long life.

All we did was ask!

So, we here are constantly and wonderfully surprised by who cherishes their history and for what reasons. Never underestimate any age, for every age has a story to tell.

Life is full of misery, loneliness & suffering - and it's all over too soon.

- Woody Allen

The Surge of Spring!

Well, it's been quite a dynamic Winter in the biography business. We have completed a few more bios chronicling more life stories, and a couple of new "Tell Me A Story" children's videos.

Mary was a favorite in the last year. She was so sweet and accommodating, her story was a joy to work on. Hard to believe she is 90 years old! The joyous spirit never ages.

We also added the husband and wife team of Betty & Richard. 

Both lived such amazing and world-travelled lifestyles.

It is exceptional that they were able to make the move from China to the U.S. during such difficult times and be as successful as they were considering all the obstacles they encountered along the way. 

One more biography was commissioned for Ken to honor his long list of accolades and achievements throughout careers - from a youthful & enterprising magazine peddler during the depression, on to researcher for Kodak, and then patent examiner & powerful

corporate attorney. 

His family story is of a marvelous and often difficult journey - yet his true talents shone through and he is enormously loved by his four children. Thanks, Ted!  

Stay tuned for more to come!

Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.

-Soren Kierkegaard

The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget...

"We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one."

Click here to read more.

The time is right and the season is now, for chronicling stories of who & how.

The time has come for my first foray into the blogging world. I have been very busy with several personal biographies that will soon show up on my site (www.HeirloomBiography.com). 

Just completed is a biography of Jane & Byron Carlson - a youthful couple and long-time family friends who were ready for the story of their lives to be told. Jane is a fantastic watercolor artist with international acclaim, and was a top Ford model for half of her life - even appearing on the cover of Life magazine! Byron was a television announcer during TV's heyday, and an international headhunter in his later years. Jane was a little skeptical that a bio would have any real value other than a "one-time viewing". A "shelf-warmer", if you will. Fortunately, she was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and has requested a shorter version to show friends and acquaintances. Byron was clearly moved and grateful to have his & his family's lineage properly illuminated. Their children have each expressed their gratitude, as well.

Also, a local family had me record their trio of siblings; each one offering forth their vision of life and its' promises in a new "Tell Me A Story" children's video. 

In addition, two twins celebrated their 70th birthday with a 20-minute biography video. We created a dynamic interview filled with old pictures & period music. It was shown during their celebration at the Newark Museum. They have commissioned a full-length version as a family heirloom keepsake.

Two more are forthcoming - a 90 year-old woman who grew up in the Bronx during the war years, and a Chinese couple who faced the pressures of living between China & Japan during both the Japanese & Communist occupations before coming to America.

I hope that this blog will reflect many things as it grows. Firstly, my love for what my company does. Secondly, to reflect how far-reaching a biography can be not only for the subject, but for the entire family. I've seen tired eyes, weary from life's hardships, glow brightly while reminiscing on the trials & tribulations that have transpired. We've connected families that had forgotten how to communicate with each other, and heard how they grew closer and started treating one another with much deserved respect. Considering the current state of humanity and the few things in the course of our days that really make us "feel", something as simple as just talking and listening can be a much needed salve - for both the subject & the viewer!

Lastly, but not least, I aim to emphasize that an "empty box of photos tells no tales". I inherited many boxes of fabulous photos with no clear identification of anyone in them! Whether a simple montage or a full-blown biography, one needs to chronicle the lives of those who have gone before us. Not as a means of stroking an ego or as mere nostalgia - but as continuity. To understand our road ahead we must often know where we've been. Visit Heirloom Biography to see our services offered and the love we have for every story.

"Every Age Has A Story To Tell"