Many families use the summer months to plan get-togethers and family reunions. Some families vacation together.

These family gatherings are a great time to build a family history (and keep the tweens and teens entertained while the grown-ups talk). Use the time to record the older members of the family. You can record on a small digital recorder or take video on a tablet. You don’t need to remake Gone with the Wind. Just tape answers to basic questions. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• What did you do in summer when you were a kid?
• What was your favorite class in school?
• What did you do on Sundays when you were a kid?
• What was your first job?
• What was your favorite food as a kid?
• How did you celebrate Christmas when you were growing up?
• What was your favorite game?
• What is the best trip you can remember?

Simple questions, but they often lead to wonderful stories. And someday, when these treasured family members have gone to God, you’ll be grateful to be able to hear their voices and see their faces once again.

Bonus tip: You can also record them reading their favorite stories. Little ones who come later will enjoy a bedtime story from great-grandma.