Share your memories
New archive project appeals for people to tell stories from the past
An appeal was this week issued for those who have pictures and memories of the recent past.
Staff at Stirling Council’s libraries and archives service have a treasure trove of material about the area’s history.
But in a new project to be launched this month at Callander, they are appealing for information and photographs of life in our towns and villages from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. It is hoped to assemble recollections about individual communities, providing a resource for local and family history and to help those in the area living with dementia.
Council archivist Pam McNicol said: “We are asking people to share their photographs by having them digitally scanned so that we can create a ‘Memory Box’ for each area.
“We are also hoping that people will agree to being interviewed to make sure that those precious memories are recorded for the future. There will be a dedicated week at each library branch during which people will be asked to bring in photographs and be interviewed for the oral history project.
“There will also be a drop-in session during the week of the project at which people can chat to archives and library staff about your records and how best to store them, and have your memories recorded as part of our oral history project.”
Staff carrying out the project, called Re:Collections, aim to create a resource which will be available at each library branch for people to use.
Oral history interviews will also be available at the library along with transcripts for those who prefer to access them in this way.
And the most interesting photographs identified will be featured on the Observer’s popular Memory Lane page.
The first Re:Collections week is at Callander branch library during the week commencing Monday, October 24, continuing to October 28. Events at other libraries will follow. For dates see posters in your local library branch.
To find out more, speak to library staff or contact the council archives.
And to launch the project, the archives has issued two photographs believed to have been taken in Callander.
They are trying to find out who is in the pictures and what the events were.
If you can help email john. rowbotham@trinitymirror.com, or write to the Observer at 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK82DW.