Sometimes the embellished stories shared around the dinner table can often be the best piece of history a family can hold on to.
That’s the opinion of Dr. Kim Stanley professor and the chair of the Department of Modern Languages at McPherson College who was the featured speaker at the Lyon County History Center Monday afternoon. Her presentation, “Creative Ways to Write Your Family Stories” while rooted in the topic of genealogy actually had very little to do with historical fact and more to do with family lore.
According to Dr. Stanley, while birth records, census accounts and family trees are important for preserving a family’s history, studies have shown that the preservation of individual stories often can instill a greater sense of identity and pride in one’s family.
Dr. Stanley’s presentation included tips on how to properly record these stories and ensure their longevity for generations to come. Monday’s presentation was sponsored by the Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau.
