It feels good to tell family stories to interested listeners. Research also shows that it has measurable benefits for both the storyteller and his or her younger relatives. But what if the younger members of the family are too young to pay attention? What about those who aren’t even born yet? How can you make sure that they too will hear your stories, so they can pass them along themselves to future generations? And what kinds of stories have the greatest long-term benefit?
Bill Erwin, a Durham personal historian, will answer all these questions and more on October 28. Bill was reporter for the Durham Herald-Sun and the Charlotte Observer, then spent a career promoting better health locally and nationally. Before retiring, he decided to devote himself to helping families preserve their stories. Toward this end, Bill earned a certificate in documentary production from the Duke Center for Documentary Studies.
He has since recorded stories for more than a hundred audio and video productions, livened with family photos. In addition to telling us why storytelling is so beneficial, Bill will show examples of engaging stories told by elders and will discuss ways of leaving your legacy – from simple to richly detailed. He is a graduate of both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, and has called Durham home for more than 40 years.
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