Immortality - how can a person's story live on after death.

[i-need-a-martini]

My dad is in his late 70's and is contemplating the end. He thinks because he has lived an average life and did nothing exciting that no-one will remember him a decade after death.

Anyway, he wants his name to 'live on' somewhere so his story lives on somewhere.

This week he is going to register for the Welcome Wall at the National Maritime Museum but he is disappointed that the wall only has his name and no other details other than 100 words he can add to a data base.

Can anyone think of anything else he could do? 

Or do you have things you remember your grandparents/ancestors by?

Or maybe you have already thought about what legacy you will leave your kids/grandkids etc?

All ideas welcome. Note he doesn't have any money to leave and English is his second language.

[twyngwyn]

There is nothing of more value than his children - does he know that?

[i-need-a-martini]

He wants to know he mattered. He was important to someone.

Yes! I think that is what it's about.

Tonight he was talking about how his life was 'nothing' and that he was a 'failure' (or as he says in his broken English "a failer" - took me a while to figure out what he was trying to say lol!).

And even though I reminded him of all the things he did do (great family, stable home blah blah) he says that these are just 'ordinary' and who is going to remember him for being ordinary?

BTW, he isn't depressed about any of this (altho it sounds that way) but he is saying it all matter of factly.

[flashie*]

Here are a few suggestions that I would like if it was me.

PICTURES...........PICTURES..............and more PICTURES...........all for those that are yet to come..............not just of family but places you lives.....countries.............places you took picnics too..............nicknames...........family pets....................anything.

He does not want anything written down..................but you can...........journal your life with him......again it will give a window into him through your eyes.

Maybe he could sponsor an award in his name at a school you or he attended.

Buy some books of his home country and donate to your local library.

Have his portrait painted.

[nevynreally]

He was a tailor. Started an apprentiship  at 9 in Italy and when he arrived in Australia he worked in factories. He left Italy in the mid 60's to escape army conscription as he still had horrible boyhood memories of the war.

Interests? I don't really know. It's interesting that he inspired in me a love of architecture, art and books but I can't really say they were his 'interests'.

I agree with the video record of his life. Hearing someone long gone is comforting and special to those still here.

But that's about ME having his story (which of course I want!). His problem is that he wants to feel as if he is leaving something of value.

Okay, so a plaque somewhere isn't an option.

What you and he don't understand about video memories is it's not about you. It's a gift you give future generation. So much more than photos.

[punch*drunk]

Punch - I think I need to get some basic facts from him and then I might come back to you. Are you on the ancestors thread?

Yes.

[katydidthat]

Martini ... I don't think that this is what you want ... but I've just received a copy of my family's early history in Australia.  Someone else compiled it ... my ggggggfather arrived here in the 1820s as a convict and now, here we are in 2013 and we can read about him and his brother and his wife.  It's really awesome to have that information and I can only imagine him looking down on us and saying "Begorrah, them computers are a wondrous thing.  And that Katy, she's a chip off the old block 'tis true.  She gets the rebellious attitude from me, to be sure, to be sure".  

[punch*drunk]

And maybe do some research on where he lived/grew up/was born in Italy.

[twyngwyn]

katydidthat....I'm from Newbridge (between Pontypool & Newport) & spent many holidays at Porthcawl

[cherry*135]

I think he wants something 'traceable'. Something that someone in 100 years time can track back and say "This man existed. He was my great, great, great grandfather. We know when, where, how he lived and died".

Without sounding morbid doesn't a headstone on a grave or plaque somewhere else, give someone a 'thing' to say this man was my great grandfather etc..

Future generations wont know where & how he lived if he doesn't record these details on paper/electronically now. As you say, he has told you when he moved to Aust but you can't remember.. he has to record/write this stuff down soon or it could be lost forever..which isn't what we wants.

I don't think there is anywhere he can put his stuff (personal details about his life) on public record so future generations can find it.

[nevynreally]

He wants to know he mattered. He was important to someone.

Yes! I think that is what it's about.

Tonight he was talking about how his life was 'nothing' and that he was a 'failure' (or as he says in his broken English "a failer" - took me a while to figure out what he was trying to say lol!).

And even though I reminded him of all the things he did do (great family, stable home blah blah) he says that these are just 'ordinary' and who is going to remember him for being ordinary?

BTW, he isn't depressed about any of this (altho it sounds that way) but he is saying it all matter of factly.

My ancestors were just ordinary. They don't show up in anything but BDM's and not many. Being Irish, they're isn't much. What I wouldn't give for photo's. I found one accidently from a newspaper clipping of my great grandfather. It is now precious in our family. No one alive now had ever seen a picture of him before.

Your dad doesn't realise how special he is.