Friday, January 28, 2011

Eleanor's Story

My great-grandmother Gertrude "Eleanor" Baerecke died when she was 42. With the exception of a death certificate and some census records, I don't have much in terms of papers that describe her life.

What I do have are lots of pictures of Eleanor. Way more than any of my other ancestors from this era. These photos tell a lot about my great-grandmother.

I've gathered some of them for a slideshow, which I'm putting here. I hope you like it:


This video is also available in a bigger screen at my YouTube channel.

I hope to do more of these in the future. I think they're a great way to tell family stories to a more technically oriented audience. [And as Rootsmagic pointed out in the comments, a less technically oriented audience as well.]

What should my next subject be? I'm thinkin' RootsTech, but let's just see how it all plays out.

Thanks for watching.

Note: Someone in the comments asked which program I used to make this video. It's Roxio Creator 2011. I have included an affiliate link here:



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27 comments:

  1. RootsMagicJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Actually, I think they're a great way to tell family stories to a *less* technically oriented audience too.

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  2. Amy Coffin, MLISJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Very true.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    What software did you use to create that? It was beautiful!

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  4. Amy Coffin, MLISJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Thank you, anonymous! It was Roxio Creator 2011 and I've added a link to it in the blog post.

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  5. Teresa Wilson RogersJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    What a wonderful idea, Amy! You may not have many records, but how so very lucky you are to have so many great pictures to tell her story!

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  6. Kellie S. ThompsonJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Great Slideshow! The photos do give you a sense that you know her after viewing the slideshow.

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  7. Anita WellsJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    This was so beautiful! Made me cry. What a lovely tribute and wonderful way to share with others.

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  8. ScotSueJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Very impressive, Amy, and such a great new way of telling a family story. The photographs brought Eleanor alive to us. I don't have the technical skill at the moment, but I can see that this is could be an effective tool in displaying all the family photographs I have.

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Very touching! I'm sure she would be delighted to see what you've done in telling her story.
    http://kbea831.wordpress.com/ (it wouldn't let me post any way but anonymous.)

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  10. KellieJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Gosh - it's amazing how young 42 seems now that I'm 41. LOL

    Beautiful tribute!

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Thanks Amy. I learned a lot about my grandmother today. Thanks for taking the time to create this and sharing it with us. The one bathing suit picture she looks just like Aunt Violet. I sent this to the boys.

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  12. Jennifer HolikJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Amy that was so beautiful I'm ready to cry! What a wonderful way to remember someone.

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  13. @recordswikiJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Amy, I'm so glad you shared your blog on our site today so that I had the chance to view this post. I love how you used the photos to tell the story of your great-grandmother... and they are beautiful photos. I think she and I would have gotten along great... I too love the outdoors!

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  14. Linda McCauleyJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Another wonderful video. You have a real feel for how to say just enough to accent the photos while letting the photos actually tell the story.

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  15. Missy/Bayside ResearchJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Love it, Amy -- great job. I wish I had photos of my Great-Grandma Hayes from when she was younger.

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  16. KimJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    What a fantastic what to celebrate a woman and to invite people in! She reminds me of my grandmother in her youth. Great idea for future entries. You always challenge me- now if I could find my darn pictures of my childhood home I could get that entry down.

    Later!

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  17. UnknownJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Great job, Amy! So much can be said with pictures in just 3 and a half minutes. And, Happy Birthday Great-Grandma!

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Wow, what a great job!
    I actually really like the videos

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  19. Diana RitchieJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    I finally had a chance to catch up yesterday and watched this - it is wonderful! I loved the music as well and had to go "find" it. I'm listening to the whole album right now.

    Thanks for sharing such a great way of presenting family history.

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  20. Laura AanensonJanuary 30, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Beautiful Amy - you did a splendid job! Thank you for inspiring the rest of us. :o)

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  21. Janice TracyJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Beautiful and touching slideshow, Amy. Thank you for sharing your lovely great-grandmother with your readers.

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  22. AnonJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    Great work Amy. I wish I had pictures of my great grandma.

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  23. Michelle GoodrumJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Superb Amy!

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  24. Suess GeiselFebruary 3, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Very nice, Amy. I like that you timed this video's viewing with your GGM's birthday.

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  25. Annette BerksanFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    What a wonderful way to tell a story! Thanks for sharing this.

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  26. LizFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Amy, that was a wonderful way to honor your great grandmother. It was a lovely video.

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  27. SusanDecember 30, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    A lovely tribute to honor your great-grandmother!

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