In the Sunday paper (1-21-07), in the Metro section of the Journal Sentinel, there is an article about a wonderful project that is coming to Milwaukee. The project is called StoryCorps, and it is coming to the Milwaukee Public Library on Thursday. Over the next six months, for a $10 donation fee, people can record stories about their lives (or their parents' or grandparents' lives) onto a CD. According to the article, the story should be told in an interview format, and the recorded interview will then become part of an archive in the Library of Congress. Participants get to keep a copy of their CD. To make a reservation, you can call (800) 850-4406, or you can do it online at www.storycorps.net. Here is the link to
the article.
I always thought my parents' histories -- living in the Philippines during World War II, leaving family and friends behind to live in the United States -- would make an interesting memoir. The idea even occurred to me to videotape their life stories a few years back, but although my brother and I did try once or twice, the project never really got off the ground. As frequent readers know, my mom has now passed away, and unfortunately, the opportunity to record her story on tape died with her. I have a pretty good memory though, and over the years, over cups of coffee in the afternoon and during lulls in holiday celebrations, my mom passed down some of her stories to me. One day, I hope to put those stories down on paper, but I will always regret that we lost the opportunity to record her telling her own stories in her own words. That's why I think this StoryCorps project is a great idea. I hope some of you get to take advantage of it.
Although I don't think I will be able to drag my dad down to the Milwaukee Public Library, I'm going to take my video camera out of the closet, and I'm going to get my dad to tell me a story... or two... or three.
