Help:Memories

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Every modern person's profile on WikiTree has a "Memories" section for personal reminiscences and stories you were told about the person. This is an opportunity to make a person more than just a name on a family tree.

1 Memories Section of Profiles
2 Memory-Inspiring Suggestions

Memories Section of Profiles

Here's how the Memories section is different from the other sections of a profile:

They are not wiki. They are meant to be first-person — written by you and not edited by others.
They are private on all private profiles, including profiles that are Private with a Public Biography.
They are tracked separately in activity feeds. Since they will be reported as memories, they may pique the interest of non-genealogist family members to click over and see what you have written.

The Memories section does not appear on all profiles. If you are on the profile's Trusted List, the section will appear if the person was born less than 200 years ago. If you are not on the Trusted List, the section will be hidden for private profiles, and will only appear on public profiles if someone on the Trusted List has posted a memory.

Memory-Inspiring Suggestions

Here are some suggestions of things you can share in the memory section.

For an ancestor's profile

If this was a "brickwall" ancestor describe your process of discovery.

How did it feel when you first discovered this person?

What about their life inspires you or makes you proud?

Describe your feelings in visiting where they lived or when you visited their grave.

For a parent's profile

Were you told the story of how your parents met?

What was your favorite dish that your mother cooked?

What do you remember about your mother or father's job?

What wisdom did they share that has stuck with you?

What stories about your parents do you remember?

For a sibling's profile

Describe something you and your siblings did that would horrify your mother.

What qualities in them do you admire?

What's the first thing you think of when you think about growing up with them?

For a child's profile

Were you there when they were born? What do you remember about the day?

Describe something a child did that made you laugh. Is there something that was not funny at the time, but you can laugh about now?

What have they done that makes you proud?

For a spouse's profile

How did you meet your spouse/significant other?

What are/were your favorite activities together?

What were the greatest challenges you faced together?

For other relatives' profiles

Do you remember meeting the person for the first time?

Did they ever tell you a funny story?

What relative that has passed away would you most like to see again? What would you say to them or ask them? Put this memory on their profile.

What was the last family event you attended? Who was there? Put memories from the event on different people's profiles.

Did anyone in your immediate family ever serve in the military? Who and what branch? Add what you remember to their profile.

For your own profile

Where were you and what were you doing on September 11, 2001?

What kind of car do you drive? Who taught you to drive? (This memory might go on their profile.)

Name one thing you would try to do if you were president.

Name two places in the world you would like to visit and why.

What is the worst meal you have ever made?

How many town, cities or states have you lived in? See how many you can list.

Do you remember your first phone number? What was it?

Describe something you did that would horrify your kids.

Have you ever met anyone famous? Who, where and when?

Do you have a favorite book?

Do you have a favorite movie?

Name an organization you're a member of, such as a church, union, book club, social club, FBI's Most Wanted List.

What advice do you give your kids that you feel is most important?