Guest blog by Jolanda Blaauw – Source book: How to create a memory book in images and text.
You can create a memory book about your own life or that of someone else, as a legacy for your family and/or children. You can also help someone with early-stage dementia by recalling memories together using photos from their life and capturing this in a book or report. Or, if someone has already passed away, you can create a visual story featuring the important moments of his or her life.
Step 1: Make a list of topics
What do you want to tell? What absolutely cannot be missing from the book? You can divide the topics into chapters. For example, a chapter on family. You can create the topics here: –
- my mother’s family history
- family stories
Source: How to create a memory book in images and text
Image left: Cornell University
Image right: Wikimedia Commons
Step 2: Sorting
It is important to stay structured and organized when working on the report or story. Create a folder for each topic and find photos to go with it. For example, if the book is about your mother and your topic is childhood, create a ‘childhood’ folder and make sure the photos of her childhood go in there. Do this for all the topics you have.
Step 3: Research your family on the internet
Use your family names to find information on the internet. Search for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates to tell important stories. That is how I found out that my grandfather was born in Deurne.
Source: How to create a memory book in images and text
Image on the left: The New York Public Library
Step 4: Getting started
Now that you have an overview of the topics with the corresponding documents and photos, you can begin. Choose photos that hold fond memories for you and place them with the topic. Write the memories below the photo. Continue in this way with all the photos.
Source: How to create a memory book in images and text
Image left: Freeimages, Skistar 7
Image right: Pexels
Step 5: Stay organized
It can sometimes become a bit much to tell, but it is okay if you leave things out. Have others read the report so that everyone understands what you are talking about. And if you can’t do it alone, ask someone to help you. I wish you an inspiring journey as you compile your memory book. Jolanda
ISBN: 9789083509204
NUR: 600
Type: Hardcover
Author: Jolanda Blaauw
Price: € 29.95
Number of pages: 188
Publisher: Concept & Design
Printer: Bookadew
See Jolanda Blaauw’s website here & order the book!
