Legacy Leaders Network

Tips of the week!

Trivia Question❓

What year was the first tape recorder for home use introduced, making it possible for families to easily record conversations?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Grandparent Interviews: How to Capture a Generation Before It’s Gone

Every family has a living library—the grandparents. Their stories hold the threads that tie generations together, offering wisdom, humor, and a sense of identity. Yet, all too often, those stories fade because no one thought to ask or record them. Conducting grandparent interviews is one of the most meaningful ways to preserve your family’s legacy and honor the lives that came before you.

Start by creating a quiet, comfortable setting and simply invite conversation. Ask open-ended questions that spark reflection: “What was your childhood like?” “What do you wish you’d known when you were my age?” “What’s the proudest moment of your life?” Use a phone or computer to record the conversation—no specialized equipment is needed.

Be patient and genuinely curious. The richest stories often emerge after a few moments of thought. Encourage your loved one to share details about ordinary days, not just major milestones. Small, personal moments—the smell of a kitchen on Sunday morning, the music they listened to as a teenager, lessons learned from challenges—are what truly bring family history to life.

Once recorded, consider transcribing the conversation or editing it into a keepsake book, scrapbook, or video montage. Share copies with family members as gifts, or organize a viewing party to celebrate the stories together. These stories don’t just preserve the past—they provide guidance, context, and inspiration for the future. By capturing the voices and experiences of your elders today, you ensure that the family legacy endures for generations, connecting past, present, and future in a way that words alone cannot fully express.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

1948. The Brush Soundmirror became the first widely available home tape recorder.