Legacy Keeper — Embracing the Role of Family Historian

When I was married forty-eight years ago, my parents invited many relatives I had not met throughout my lifetime to my wedding. One such couple was my father’s dear Uncle Lou and his wife, Fanny. They lived in Los Angeles and, at eighty-nine, made the journey to Chicago to honor my father's father, Isadore, who was Uncle Lou's brother and my Grandfather. Isadore passed away at forty-seven, while Lou lived almost fifty years longer.

My father always believed in maintaining family ties and keeping lines of communication open, no matter the distance or the effort. We presented Aunt Fanny with an orchid wrist corsage. Her smile as she received it broke the ice, and we all enjoyed catching up at my parents' home the day before my wedding.

I relished hearing the stories I had never heard—stories about my Grandfather growing up with his two brothers and the tough times their parents faced immigrating from Russia and opening a fruit stand in Los Angeles. During this conversation, Uncle Lou casually mentioned how wonderful it would be to have all these stories written down.

Without missing a beat, my father turned to me and said, "Lynn is our writer and family historian."

At that moment, I didn't fully understand what he meant. I hadn't taken on that role and certainly hadn't considered myself the keeper of our family's legacy. I was young and focused on the new chapter I was about to start. It would be decades before I embraced that role. My father's words stuck with me. Now, I cherish the stories I've gathered from remaining relatives about all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents on both sides of my family. I write about them as much as possible to honor their memories and keep their spirits alive.

The Tradition of the Legacy Keeper

The idea of a "legacy keeper" or family historian is not new. Sometimes, one person takes on the responsibility of preserving the family history. One family member might be more inspired than others to relate the past to the present and celebrate it. One person might bring up great-grandpa's achievements more than others at family gatherings. Sometimes, that person retells the stories orally in the finest tradition of keeping legacies. Sometimes, there is research involved. Sometimes, it's a quest to establish genealogy. Always, we strike gold with old family photos.

This tradition has existed for centuries. From ancient griots in West African cultures—who served as living repositories of history and genealogy—to storytellers in all communities to the modern-day archivist who keeps family records, the role of the legacy keeper is vital. They serve as the bridge between generations. They ensure that the wisdom, struggles, and triumphs of the past continue to inform and inspire the present.

Embracing Your Role as a Legacy Keeper

We need to realize we've become integral to the legacy keeper process.

We often only realize we've become the family historian once we collect and share these stories. You may become the go-to person for family updates, maintaining contact with far-flung relatives, or cherishing old letters, photographs, and heirlooms.

Whether your stories are business-related, personal, or a blend of both, being a legacy keeper is about connection. It's about understanding your origins and sharing those roots with others. It's a role that carries responsibility and offers deep fulfillment and meaning.

I encourage you to embrace this role, whether you document your family's history, capture stories of your business's founding, or keep a record of cherished memories. Honor the past and create a lasting bridge to the future. Your words and efforts will one day become the foundation on which your family or community continues to build its story.

So, let's honor our history, celebrate our loved ones, and tell our stories. You never know who might be inspired by your journey.