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.

[happyroo_bunji]

Your father is being difficult, he doesn't want to tell his life story because that is too "personal" but he wants to be remembered generations from now? The only way he will be remembered is by having his life recorded.

I've been doing my family tree for years and absolutely love reading diaries, biographies, memories etc.  That to me is adding 'meat' to the bones of a person

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

Does he have something that may be of interest to the local historical society/museum.

e.g. a photo of the factory he worked in, or the boat he came to australia on.

It could be donated witha bit of a blurb about subject and the donar

[i-need-a-martini]

Hubby and he did a road trip to Broken Hill last year and he saw an exhibition on migrants from the region at the Sulphide (?) Street Museum which he talks about constantly.

He talks about how great it is that future generations can see this exhibition on stories of their migrant ancestors, see their photo's and that the stories have a context.

I don't know if that helps but clearly the exhibition affected him because he wants to go back to BH with me to show me. The exhibition probably isn't there any more...

Not sure if that helps but it explains how he is thinking about this issue.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Get a little tape recorder - or whatever they call then these days - then just sit down and talk to him. Actually, I should say listen to him. Don't make a big thing of it, just  ask him questions about his childhood etc then let him talk. Don't interrupt him more than you have to, just give him a little nudge in the right direction if he starts meandering too much. You will amazed how much information you can gather

[punch*drunk]

Hubby and he did a road trip to Broken Hill last year and he saw an exhibition on migrants from the region at the Sulphide (?) Street Museum which he talks about constantly.

He talks about how great it is that future generations can see this exhibition on stories of their migrant ancestors, see their photo's and that the stories have a context.

I don't know if that helps but clearly the exhibition affected him because he wants to go back to BH with me to show me. The exhibition probably isn't there any more...

Not sure if that helps but it explains how he is thinking about this issue.

Thats why I think finding a record of his arrival would be great. Did he come by ship? Did I ask that already?

A photo of the ship would be good too.

[i-need-a-martini]

He likes the idea of a 'museum' cause he thinks that then this is permanent.It's a shame he has nothing to donate. That's why he is going to register his name at the Welcome Wall. 

Perhaps this is really all he can do? And then the rest is up to me as you all say - ie. get him to write it all down.

Umm and yes I agree a gravestone is permanent too but it might be a bit tactless to mention this him lol! I doubt if he would appreciate that thought...:^O

Here is the link to the Welcome wall if anyone is interested http://welcomewall.anmm.gov.au/

[twyngwyn]

SA has a Migration Museum that accepts donations - do you have one where you are?

[i-need-a-martini]

Thanks everyone! I am going to bed now. 

But I can see I need to sit him down and suck as much info out of him in various ways as I can.

Stay tuned!

[cherry*135]

Noooooooo don't mention the gravestone.  If he doesn't get involved in recording his personal history though (and that doesn't mean very personal stuff), a gravestone with name & DOB and DOD will be all there is left to find out about him for anyone searching in future generations.

A book/booklet can be handed down from generation to generation. Technology is good but it changes a lot.. DVD of today may be outdated in a few years.

[just_me_karen]

What about a time capsule?

http://www.naa.gov.au/records-management/agency/preserve/physical-preservation/time-capsules.aspx