We are amazed at the number of people who visit the Carnegie and have marvelous memories of
children's story time. Some keep coming back because they are genealogists or interested in local
history. Others visit us when they come back for school reunions. Memories like that are so very
valuable to us, and to their families. Are you passing on childhood memories to your loved ones? It
gives us all a sense of place, and a sense of worth. If you haven't, start soon!
Do you remember stories told to you by older members of your family? Have they been passed on, or do
they languish in your memory, rusting and fading? At the very least, pass them on. Better yet, write
them down and pass copies to others! Don't have or remember any stories? Talk to the older members of
your family about their childhood, their parents and friends, their schools and games. Anything they
want to talk about is a piece of history that, unless passed on, dies when they die.
My mother told me the story of her family's move from Missouri to South Texas on the train. Her
mother cried the whole way, saying they were going to be scalped, and that nobody would be able to
speak English! This was in 1911! A funny, loving story that I will always remember not only because
it was a family story, but also because it points out how we often view other areas and people, and
how wrong we can be.
Remember! Pass on those memories!
Nancy Ross, Carnegie Librarian
