3 Tech Tools For Capturing Your Family History

Create a rich family heirloom of faces, voices, and stories all in one place. The three tech tools below will make capturing your family history simple and easy.

As parents, many of us want to preserve memories and pass down knowledge and traditions to our kids, especially while grandparents—and in some cases great-grandparents—are still with us. Sure, photos and videos capture the moment, but they can be tricky to organize into a cohesive keepsake for when the kids are older.

As the expression goes: there’s an app for that. Here are three “time capsule” ideas for your smartphone or tablet:

1. StoryCatcher Pro (iOS)

Available exclusively for iPhone and iPad, StoryCatcher Pro ($6.99) offers a simple way to create and share heartfelt video stories, documentary style. Point the phone’s camera lens at a loved one, tap record, and begin to ask them questions, interview-style. Not sure what to ask? The app provides suggested starter questions, such as “Tell us a time you were deeply moved by the kindness of others.”

As the documentarian, you can also collect written stories via email, and import photos with the option to add captions. There are also a variety of themes to help dress up your captured memories.

Once you’re done, share the personal documentary privately via email or to Dropbox, or publicly to YouTube or Facebook right from within the app.

2. Life’s Time Capsule (Android/iOS/macOS)

A one-stop source for organizing, editing and storing your life’s most precious memories, Life’s Time Capsule captures videos, photos, audio recordings and journal entries. After the free 10-day trial, this Android, iOS or macOS app includes cloud storage, along with a security guarantee of your data, with a monthly subscription.

Since it’s in the cloud, these digital moments can be accessed by anyone you give permission to, from anywhere in the world, on virtually any internet-connected device. This app is very easy to use, even for family members uncomfortable with technology. Tools for capturing family history, AND safely sharing.

3. Remember This (web)

From broadcaster turned podcaster and author of Let’s Talk Podcasting, Toronto-based Amanda Cupido has created Remember This —a way for Canadians to easily record their stories, or stories of loved ones, and automatically turn them into a slick, podcast-level audio file.

Instead of a downloadable app, simply go to the free website RememberThisPodcast.com on a phone, tablet, or laptop—anything with a microphone. Tap the Record Your Story button, type in your name, and verbally answer the suggested questions, e.g., “Tell me about a hardship that you endured that was formative to who you are today.”

The audio of the interview can then be downloaded and shared with family, or if you’re super keen to share, submit it to the Remember This podcast for the chance to have your story air in a future episode.

For more from tech expert Marc Saltzman, check out marcsaltzman.com or follow him on instagram.com/marcsaltzman