From the ancient Egyptians to modern-day techies, preserving family history has been the goal of countless communities. While every generation shares events, memories and legacies differently – the end result is often a budding family tree nurtured with love and wisdom.
But did you know that oral family history can be lost in just three generations? That’s where modern solutions like CircleIt come in – making it easy for entire families to work together recording, sharing and storing those precious family memories for countless generations. All it takes is just a few taps of a finger with the easy-to-use generational platform.
Safeguard Your Legacy
How and where to start can be a daunting task. Most families have vintage photos, treasured heirlooms or meaningful traditions that are passed from generation to generation. But do you know the entire story behind the photo? Or the history of the heirloom? Or the true origin of the tradition? Over time, details can easily get lost and memories forgotten.
To help jumpstart your journey, we’ve come up with a series of questions built to help you start preserving your past, cultivate your present and nurture your future. You can record answers to the following questions manually in a notebook or on your computer – or download CircleIt from the AppStore or Google Play and start ensuring your legacy (and theirs) securely lives through the ever-growing branches of your family tree.
Preserve Your Past
Taking a moment to chat with your elders can offer insight into your family history and what life was like back in the day. Record their answers, document their past and continue to share their story. Below are some questions that can help get the conversation started.
What’s your earliest memory?
Did you like school growing up?
What was your favorite school subject?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What was a typical day like for you?
What’s the favorite memory you have of your parents?
Tell me about the city you grew up in.
Did you have any high school sweethearts?
What’s the most important lesson you learned from your parents?
Where did you meet your best friend? And how long did you stay in touch?
Did you get an allowance?
What was your favorite food growing up?
Are there any family heirlooms?
Start preserving your legacy today.
Cultivate the Present
Ask your immediate family some questions that are sure to spark insightful conversations while allowing you to capture special memories you’ll hold dear. Document and preserve their answers – then ask them again in 10 years and see how they’ve changed.
Where’s your favorite vacation spot?
What’s your favorite dessert or snack?
What’s your favorite meal?
What’s your favorite holiday memory?
Name your top two favorite movies.
What’s your favorite childhood toy?
Who’s your favorite pet?
What’s your favorite school memory?
Tell me about the first time you were in an airplane.
What’s your favorite board game?
Who was your favorite teacher in school?
What are you most proud of in your life?
Nurture Your Future
All it takes to start documenting your story and preserving your legacy is answering a few simple questions to store and share with future generations. Below are some questions that are sure to bring back some of your own cherished memories for you to share.
What’s one piece of advice you’d like to share?
Record your favorite (or secret) recipe.
What’s one thing that you learned the hard way?
What was your favorite subject in school?
Who was your best friend in high school?
Record the story of your wedding day.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
What is your nickname? How did you get it?
What is your biggest fear?
What is your biggest regret?
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Where’s your favorite place to vacation?
Who or what has left the most impact on you?
Do you have a hidden dream you’ve never shared?
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
CircleIt: A modern platform allows users to be there… even after they’re gone.
CircleIt was inspired by the story of a unique gift left from beyond the grave. The family of CircleIt founder, Art Shaikh, was left a gift from his father to be opened after he passed. “My father left us a box full of treasured memories, meaningful trinkets, candid stories and cultivated wisdom – meant to be shared among family and stored for future generations.”
CircleIt was built to replicate this unique gift he left behind for his family – a gift to continually remind his family of his love, be there to help celebrate milestones and inspire future generations. Art shares that “CircleIt was built for my mother to help carry on his legacy. Built so that others can experience the joy it has given all of us. Built in memory of my father, Arif Shaikh.”
Stories from the heart.
14 Years of Gifts from Heaven
Before he died, an elderly neighbor purchased and wrapped 14 years worth of Christmas gifts for his neighbor’s 2 year old daughter.
Wife’s Valentine from Late Husband
Every year since his death in 2012, a flower delivery appears on her doorstep for Valentine’s Day and her birthday.
Flowers from Beyond the Grave
On Valentine’s Day, a mere 2 months after her husband’s passing, a bouquet of vibrant yellow flowers and a single red rose arrived.
