You likely know the names and some details about your grandparents, but can you list all eight of your great-grandparents? Most Americans can't, and although we may not have had very close relationships to them, there is a lot of value in "generational storytelling" where we can learn from our family history and be proud of where we came from. 

On this episode, we talk with author Elaine McAllister. She is an accomplished author of seven published books, and she is passionate about helping others record their family histories through writing, photos, and preserving heirlooms and documents. Today Elaine shares how (and why) we can research our ancestors, what "sentimental trash" we should hang on to, and how to pass on meaningful stories to future generations.