Several years ago, a memoir writing class was offered at the Senior Citizen Center at Halls Crossroads. I had been trying to write about my past and needed someone to critique my efforts. I figured this would be a good place to start. I had no idea how much it would help. The classes met the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bob Farmer was the moderator. They ended when the class reduced in size because of deaths, relocations and other interests.

Each participant was to bring in a one- or two-page essay about something of interest in their past. The class would critique it on clarity of thought, grammar and punctuation. We did our best to help each other. The class was supposed to last one hour, but we got so caught up in the stories of our ancestors that it often went on for another hour.

There were many interesting incidents in our pasts. One woman told of Jesse James, a family member. It was different than what you read or see on TV. A man’s second or third great grandfather was a horse trader before and during the Civil War. He bought and sold horses and mules from here to Mississippi and throughout the South. He told of what happened when the Northern army came through with the wife and children home alone. Another woman wrote short stories for her grandchild. The stories were written for the future, that is, for grandchildren and great grandchildren. They didn’t want their heritage to die with them.

We should be doing the same here in Union County. There is so much interesting history in these hills. It saddens me to read the obituaries of the passing elderly folk. Their history is dying with them. There is usually someone in the family interested in genealogy. They should be collecting the stories. Our culture has changed so much since the Civil War. The Little House on the Prairie series is an example. Do you remember a time without electricity? Write about it.

Was your ancestor a schoolteacher, a peace officer, a miller, a midwife or a blacksmith? What interesting lives they lived! You know, memory is selective. Often details are missing that would paint a different picture of a situation. The story is the thing. The only criteria are that no one’s reputation be harmed by the tales. There are some funny stories that should be told. There are sad ones, too.

Note from the Publisher. Historic Union County Newspaper invites you to take a step toward documenting your own story. If you have memories, lessons, or experiences that you would like to share, we would love to help you bring them to life.

Please consider writing your memoirs and emailing them to Memoirs@HistoricUnionCounty.com. We will review and edit your stories documenting your personal history before it’s lost. There’s even a chance that your story could be published in our local newspaper, allowing your voice to resonate within our community.

Your experiences are valuable, and we look forward to the opportunity to help you share them!