Recently I was visiting my aging mother in Central Utah. While I was there, I noticed an ad in her local newspaper promoting “Oral Histories” of some of the people who had lived in the area, but had since passed on.

Reviewing the list, I noticed the names of those who had previously served as my Bishop, taught me classes while I was in high school and even coached me throughout my time in high school. But the name that stood out the most to me was my Grandma Nielsen. In July, it will be 30 years since she passed away.

I called the number listed and she did in fact have an oral history for my Grandma Nielsen. I immediately ordered it and have now received it. It has been so fun reviewing her life and reviewing her views on honesty and integrity along with reliving many of the experiences we shared as I was growing up with her. I was able to look at pictures that I hadn’t seen in years! Pictures of my Grandma as an infant, in her early 20’s, and a picture of my Grandma and Grandpa about the time they were married. It was so fun taking a stroll down memory lane.

My cousin couldn’t have known that 25 years after he fulfilled a high school assignment, I would find as much joy and happiness in reliving his conversations with my Grandma as I have. I have also taken the opportunity to share this with my own kids as they never had the chance to meet my Grandma. Through her history that was recorded, I can share my Grandma with them as well.

This experience has reminded me that Family History is as much for the living as it is for the dead. I hope each of us will take the time to record not only our own experiences, but those in our lives that mean so much to us. Record their histories before it becomes too late! You never know whose life you will touch by the histories you record today.

-Doug Nielsen, Director, Granite FamilySearch Center