Family Histories Becoming Extinct But Means Of Rescue Now Available Give Gift of History for Mother's Day

Announcing a unique service of first-person family biography narratives obtained by professional interviewers and trained journalists.

Plymouth, MI-- Because families spend less time talking and sharing stories than did earlier generations, oral histories are endangered and today's children will know far less about their families than their parents do.

"We are all just one generation away from not knowing anything about our family history," says Scott Lorenz, founder of Westwind Communications in Plymouth, Michigan, who is leading a new effort to encourage today's parents to obtain first-person, family biographies of their parents.

In its November 22, 2002 edition TIME magazine noted that Lorenz was "in the forefront of what is a growing trend for families: gathering - or hiring someone else to gather - the history, anecdotes and reflections of an aging relative before it's too late."

Because written history speaks to future generations, more and more people are having family biographies written about their parents and loved ones - to preserve the richness and uniqueness of their parents' life for their children and grandchildren.

This is not genealogy but a written document of living history that will be enjoyed by your parents while they are still alive and will be passed on to future generations for both enlightenment and enjoyment, Lorenz stresses.

"If your parents are in their 70s or 80s," says Lorenz, "they may never meet your grandchildren. What will you tell them? My experience is that tales obtained from personal interviews by professional writers are exceedingly more satisfactory than the stale, lifeless facts obtained from written documents obtained by genealogists, such as birth and death certificates or passenger manifests."

Lorenz is offering a unique service of first-person family biography narratives obtained by professional interviewers and trained journalists from personal phone conversations. Within 30 days from when the order is placed, the material is then presented in a written document to be edited for accuracy and satisfaction by the family member placing the order.

Lorenz perfected the technique when arranging for his mother's and father's family histories to be written. "I learned by trial and error that the best way to preserve family history is by having a third party, not related to the family, interview my parents." explains Lorenz. "I found out much more about my loved ones because they were more open and honest with a stranger."

After sharing copies of his parents' family biographies, friends expressed an interest in the process and product and encouraged Lorenz to share his unique findings with other families. Lorenz put together a program and then posted the details on his web site at http://www.westwindcos.com/familyhistory

Clients may choose from a variety of packages from one person (up to 12 pages) to two people (up to 40 pages.)

"We believe in deadlines," concluded Lorenz. "Want it for a birthday or Mother's Day? No problem. Turn your mother or dad over to us for a brief interview and within 30 days you will have in your hands a story of your parent that will be cherished by your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."
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