THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 TAG: 9407200605
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANGIE MARBURY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 165 lines
GRACE WATERS THOUGHT she knew everything about her mother, until she started capturing the family history on videotape and found an old photograph of Mom holding a camera.
Waters, 77, had never seen her mother take pictures at family gatherings. But her research for the video later uncovered her mother's certificate of completion for photography school.
``I never would have known this if I hadn't decided to do this video,'' Waters said.
Like Waters, a growing number of people are recording their family history on video. It makes it easier to preserve old photographs and documents that may suffer wear and tear over time and, some say, it's more convenient than looking through old photo albums.
Waters' video covers her family's history from 1675 to 1992. Her research turned up family facts that she otherwise would never have known.
``I was looking at an old life insurance policy of my grandmother's and I happened to look down at the cause of death and I could not believe what I saw,'' Waters said. ``I had to go and get a magnifying glass. And there it read - suicide. And I still didn't believe it.
``So on my next trip to Canada, I asked one of my relatives - a ninety-something year-old-woman - `How did my grandmother die?' And she said, `She tied a stone around her neck and jumped into a well.' It turned out that she was suffering from postpartum depression.''
Waters, a Norfolk native, said she collected information and photographs from relatives during two trips to Canada and a trip to England, then did more research in cemeteries, old newspapers, libraries and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Genealogical Center on Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach. The church solicits family names, dates, burial places and other information that will help people find their families.
``After we came from Canada that second time, my daughter and her husband just kept pushing me to do the video, saying, `Mama, you've got to do this,''' Waters said.
While some choose to compile their own videos using still pictures like Waters, others like Sharon White of Virginia Beach have theirs transferred from 8mm film with the help of a production company.
``I heard about people doing this. I wanted to make it more convenient to put it in the VCR. That made it a lot easier and simpler,'' White said. ``It (time and money) was well-worth it to have all those memories there.''
White had the video put together in 1990. It begins in 1961, the year her first daughter, Debbie, was born.
With '60s music in the background, the video recaps weddings, family outings, communions, baptisms, birthday parties, holidays, graduations and other events. The music changes with each occasion.
``I can't tell you the joy we get. Now when we want to look up a certain event, we can. There's that feeling of accomplishment. It really gives us a lot of enjoyment,'' White said.
Mary Lou Peterson of Minneapolis markets ``Gift of Heritage,'' an instructional video on how to produce your family history on tape. Also on the video is a glimpse of Peterson's own Norwegian family history as an example.
Peterson said she decided to bring her family tree to life so future generations could meet their ancestors ``face to face.''
``I learned by trial and error. I took photographs from different family members and asked them to send me information,'' Peterson said. ``Then, I took my family tree and put it on video and passed it out to family members at our 50th family reunion.''
To begin your video project, Peterson said to first decide how far back in history you want to go and whom you want to include - a choice usually determined by the amount of pictures and information available to you.
Peterson contacted every relative she could locate to ask for information. She verified that information and filled in blanks through genealogical research.
Based on that, Peterson began her video history with the arrival of her Norwegian ancestors in the United States in 1865.
Next, Peterson put the pictures and information on video, at an estimated cost of $1,500, which included her research and professional editing and duplication.
Waters, her daughter and son-in-law produced their three-hour video themselves.
``I was exhausted. We had two video cameras. One was on me and one for the pictures. I sat down and I had the pictures all lined up and ready. And as I got ready to talk about one, I would hand it to my daughter. Then my son-in-law would put the camera on it,'' said Waters, former director of instructional television at WHRO-TV in Norfolk.
They used the tape from both cameras to produce one video.
For those unable to produce their own videos, a number of companies in Hampton Roads can record, edit and duplicate tapes. After families gather pictures and conduct research, the companies will convert the pictures and information to video.
``That's such a great thing happening now,'' said Keith Lown, owner of Keith Lown Productions in Virginia Beach. ``And I always preach to people that it's something that is so convenient as popping a tape of your history into a VCR.''
Lown said prospective customers should bring their photographs numbered in consecutive order and other information they want included on the video. He said music is a popular feature, which he will provide for customers who do not bring their own.
``It's just a touching and emotional thing to see people's lives put to music,'' Lown said.
He added that people should not worry about the quality of their photographs.
``You can tailor your photographs so that when you do your final edit, it can look neat and professional no matter what the quality of the photograph is,'' Lown said.
George Fairfield, owner of A Creative Production in Virginia Beach, said: ``I've also done weddings where people have brought in their pictures and made them into a video.''
The price for the videos at both companies depend on the number of photographs.
Whether you choose to produce your own video or use a production company, White said it's worth it.
Plus, it's fun, Waters said.
``Just think,'' she said, ``I would never have found out that my mother was a photographer. People need to ask questions about their families. It's fun finding these things.'' MEMO: To order ``Gift of Heritage,'' send $23 to Mary Lou Productions, P.O.
Box 17233, Minneapolis, Minn. 55417.
ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Sharon White recorded her family history on video, which preserves
old photos, left, that can fade over time.
Graphic
How to get started
H ERE is some information about recording your family history on
video:
What is a family tree video?
A family tree video is one that connects the members of an
extended family together by generation, using visuals, audio and
titles that identify each individual and provide as much
genealogical data as possible.
What should be my scope?
You must decide Only you can decide just how much of your family
you'd like to include in your family-tree video. If you have a
limited budget and time, restrict your cast to your immediate
family. You also should consider how much information you have.
How can I make my family tree come alive?
Narration; music; photos of people and close-ups of individuals;
photos of significant places and homes; highlights of family events,
religious practices and ethnic traditions; drawings and maps; sound
effects; historical perspective; and titles add human interest,
charm, sentiment and even humor to any family tree video.
What equipment will I need to do it myself?
1. A camcorder with a flying erase head
2. a close-up lens
3. tripod
4. highest-quality tape
5. TV monitor
6. audio cassette player
7. taped music or live narration
8. headset or earphone
9. projector (for transferring old home movies and slides to
video)
10. good, even light
11. titles
Are there any inexpensive aides I can get?
Instructional videos and how-to books.
Source: A Family-Tree Video by Bonnie-Jane Mason, Camcorder
magazine
by CNB