“Longtime Ago People” – Preserving Family History Through Storytelling

When my father was nearing the end of his life, we spent hours talking about his experiences—ordinary moments, extraordinary events, and everything in between. Those conversations revealed a profound truth: once our elders pass, their stories can vanish with them. This realisation became the spark that ignited my podcast journey, Longtime Ago People.

The podcast’s unusual name stems from a charming family expression. When my children were young, they referred to their grandparents as “the longtime ago people”—a delightful childish phrase that perfectly captured the generational gap and the treasure trove of history that older family members represent. Little did I know then how poignant that innocent nickname would become, eventually inspiring a dedicated effort to preserve these generational connections.

What truly motivated this project was a startling question that occurred to me one day: do my children even know my grandparents’ names? This simple yet profound thought highlighted the vulnerability of family history. Each generation further removed increases the likelihood that names, personalities, and stories will fade into obscurity. Our ancestors—people who shaped our families and indirectly influenced who we are today—risk becoming forgotten footnotes in our family narrative unless we actively work to preserve their memory.

The inaugural episode features my Aunt Chrissie from the picturesque village of Steyning in West Sussex. The setting itself carries significance—we’re recording in a house where my grandparents once lived, adding another layer of connection to our conversation. We explore when they moved there, their life on the Isle of Wight before that, and the countless small moments that made them who they were. Through these conversations, I’m creating audio monuments to people my children never had the chance to meet.

This podcast represents new territory for me—from microphone techniques to editing skills (apparently, I say “um” too frequently). But the learning curve feels worthwhile when balanced against what’s at stake: preserving the heartwarming, funny, and inspirational moments of special individuals who have touched our lives. These recordings become time capsules of memory, allowing future generations to connect with their roots through authentic voices and genuine stories.

Longtime Ago People isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about creating bridges between generations and ensuring that family wisdom and experiences aren’t lost to time. In our rapidly changing world, these connections to our past become increasingly precious. I invite listeners to join me on this journey—not just to hear my family’s stories, but perhaps to inspire them to capture their own family histories before those opportunities slip away. After all, we will all eventually become someone else’s “longtime ago people,” and our stories deserve to be remembered too.