Preserving Family Legacies

Unraveling the Vanishing Threads

In a world bustling with the new and the now, there exists a poignant dilemma—our family stories, rich with history and wisdom, are slipping away like grains of sand through our fingers. The value of our familial narrative is immeasurable, yet as each generation passes, so does the delicate tapestry of our shared past. This article implores you to ponder the significance of not letting worthwhile stories fade into oblivion, urging you to become the custodian of your family’s narrative before it vanishes completely.

Honoring Our Ancestors: Threads That Weave Us Together

Our roots delve deep into the annals of time, connecting us to a lineage of pioneers, entrepreneurs, and indefatigable souls. As I think about my ancestors, a surge of pride envelops me—these were individuals who braved the unknown, toiled relentlessly, and never succumbed to adversity. Each one, a brushstroke in the masterpiece of my lineage, contributes to the canvas of my identity. Each played an important part. Some more than others. As I researched and found out more about their stories, I knew I had to write these stories down. I had to tell them. They were too good not to tell and I became obsessed with finding more and more details and getting to know better my ancestors, both on the Colombian side as well as the Russian side.

Preserving the Flame: A Personal Journey of Passion

My journey to preserve these invaluable stories began about 7 years ago when I started doing research on the family. It was one night when I couldn’t sleep. I started doing family research then and have not stopped since. I feel as if I live a double life, my own life and another life where I am putting together the pieces of the family’s puzzle. It’s strange how once you start searching, things seem to pop up and you see things that were right in front of you but you had never seen before. A year after my father died, I found an envelope which was falling apart and was full of old letters which had been sent to my grandmother at the time when my grandfather died in a mysterious airplane accident in Switzerland in 1950. I saved them and had them for years before I actually sat down and read them! Once I started reading them, I understood a little more about why my grandmother never spoke again about my grandfather! I became even more intrigued and knew I had to continue researching and finding out more!

Don’t Let Your Stories Fade…

Now, as the keeper of these narratives, I invite you to join me on this journey of discovery and preservation. We all have stories to tell. Some are our own stories, others are not. So go ahead and make yourself a cup of coffee and sit down and write those stories. Take advantage and talk to relatives who know stories that interest you while they are still alive. Write things down so that you don’t forget them later. Luckily, today there are many places to go and research online (some free and some paid) as well as many books and archives where you can also research. Perhaps you may have family documents and pictures. Don’t let those stories become like flames that start to flicker and die.

Cheers to you and to good coffee and I encourage you to preserve, cherish, and pass on your on your family’s history as well!!!