It’s been almost 200 years since Martha Ballard died.  The local paper wrote a one-line obituary “Died in Augusta, Mrs. Martha, consort of Mr. Ephraim Ballard, aged 77 years.”  That’s all we would have known about her passage if not for one vital thing she did.  She kept a diary.  And because of that we know she was a midwife who delivered 816 babies!  She was a wife and mother and respected member of her community. That diary has allowed historians to gain a better understanding of the social history of her time.  Historians 200 years from now will be ecstatic to find your personal history so start today whether you keep a diary, record your thoughts digitally or hire a personal historian.

There’s a fascinating website where you can find out more about Martha Ballard with tips on how to start recording your community’s oral history today.