Heirloom Stories

Reviewed By: Scott Lancaster

REVIEW

Heirloom Stories is a collaboration of father and son Jack and Rick Karmen. The website grew out of a book about the elder Karmen's growing up as the son of Russian emigrants in Brooklyn, New York. When as an elderly man his health was failing, the younger Karmen learned about storytelling and elicited life stories from his father. The result was a rich trove of stories as well as improved health. The site advocates an appreciation for stories from our elder relatives as healthful, bonding, and toughtful. The site includes tips for writing one's own stories. It promotes respect and values as something that is passed down from generation to generation via storytelling. Rick Karmen is also selling a service. He hawks both his book and his writing talent as a amanuensis for those who wish to hire him. But even if one does not purchase either the book or the writing, the website offers some interesting tips about gathering family history stories and honoring the elderly.