This project is about keeping memories, talking to our relative and staying connected with our roots whether they are near or far … alive or have passed on.
The project is a concept for an app that will allow family’s to record their story as well as explore their roots. At the base of this app will be the family tree, which will hopefully connect to other more adult family tree apps and work with their data. So the structure will be similar. Their will be a panel for parents with tips and instructions on how to guide children through the app as well as any difficult conversations that the app may bring about.
The app will take you from the family tree to the persons individual page where you will be able to see photos, recordings and stories about the person. The app will be integrated with the technology to be able to add photos, videos, and audio recordings. This way you can keep adding new things as you go along. You’ll also be able to upload previously taken photos and video. The person’s individual page will be divided into categories such as photos, videos, recipes, heirlooms, stories, etc. Click on one of these categories to watch the videos, or read stories.
I realize not all stories are appropriate for young children. Some of my favorite family stories, I’ve only been told as an adult. I saw this as an opportunity to keep kids engaged and coming back to the app, by having certain stories be unlocked on your birthday. This has many applications, for example you could save certain stories for when children are close to milestones like learning to drive or getting their first job. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to reflect on these stories as you nervously approach a new life event? You might look back in wonder at your grandparents who didn’t learn to drive until they were much older (My grandmother learned to drive at 28 yrs old) or chuckle hearing about the first time your great grandmother saw a car and held an umbrella up to shoo it like she was accustomed to doing with horses.
I expect this app will have many, many revisions in its future as it grows and remains flexible adapting to each unique family and their wonderful history.
Video walk-through of the concept for the app coming soon!