I was recently interviewed on the Genealogy Happy Hour podcast about my book, Creating Family Archives: A Step-by-Step Guide for Saving Your Memories for Future Generations. Considering that I just got back from a red eye flight from Portland, Oregon for the annual conference of the Society of American Archivists, I think I did pretty good!

Genealogy Happy Hour is "a podcast that helps newbie genealogists get started on the right track." Amy Crabill Lay is the owner of Heirs & Ancestors, LLC, a genealogical research company, and Penny Bonawitz, a genealogist. What I enjoy most about the podcast is that it sounds like two friends catching up on their hobby over a couple of glasses of wine; I love the casual, conversational tone.

On Episode 25, Amy and Penny provide tips on archiving your family history, then jump into an interview with me.

(10:45): "Why did you write this book?"

(13:07): "What type of supplies should a family historian use to archive and organize their family history?"

(15:13): I provide a tip on a big box store that has a surprising amount of archival quality supplies, so you can see what acid- and lignin-free boxes and enclosures look like before you purchase them.

(16:24): "What are the pros and cons of photo albums?"

(19:33): "You talk about keeping collections in their original order... so you can learn how someone else has organized materials before you."

(22:35): "How do you determine which items should be kept and which items should be tossed?"

(26:53): "Do you have a system? Do you save just physical files or digital files or a combination of both?"

To learn the preservation secrets used by libraries, archives, and museums to protect their priceless materials (that you can also use for your family heritage items) read my book:

Creating Family Archives: A Step-by-Step Guide to Saving Your Memories for Future Generations

By Margot Note

Buy on Amazon

Ready to get started creating your family archives? Here are some of my favorite products:

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This Mother’s Day, make your family history project all about your mother by conducting an oral history interview designed for her. Capturing her story is an important part of documenting your family history and one you don’t want to miss before it’s too late.

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