Passing on Memories in Later Life

Findings from home interviews with older adults who consider themselves to be „recording their memories for posterity‟ are presented. Two practices are described: the archiving and preservation of existing family content, and the creation of new artefacts as a way of recording one‟s own memories. Findings that are highlighted include recipient design when recording stories, memory as an authentic resource for the past, and the frustration of wishing to pass on one‟s stories but feeling that there is a lack of opportunity to do so. In the context of the workshop, these could provide an interesting contrast to studies of specific technologies for reminiscing, and reminiscing practices associated with younger cohorts.