Reelic Guide
How to Preserve Your Family’s Stories Before They’re Lost
Here’s an uncomfortable fact: most of what your grandparents know about your family will die with them. Not because nobody cares, but because nobody started. This is how you start.
The two-generation problem
Research consistently shows that family stories disappear within two generations unless actively preserved. Your children will likely not know their great-grandparents’ names, let alone their stories. It’s not a criticism — it’s the default. Changing it requires one person to decide that their family’s story is worth keeping.
Photos aren’t preservation
A box of unlabelled photos is not a preserved family history. It’s raw material that will become meaningless within a generation if nobody records who’s in them and why they matter. Preservation means pairing the images with the story — the who, the where, the why.
The simplest way to start
Upload 8–25 family photos to Reelic. Answer interview questions about the people in them. Reelic creates a cinematic film with narration, music, and animation — a story that makes sense of the images. It takes 10 minutes and costs less than a restaurant meal. The result lasts forever.
Why now
The oldest people in your family are the primary sources. When they go, the details go with them. Every day you wait is a day closer to losing stories that can never be recovered. Starting isn’t hard. It’s just a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to preserve family stories?
Combine photos with the stories behind them. Interview older family members. Record their answers. Then use a service like Reelic to turn those photos and stories into a lasting cinematic film that captures the narrative, not just the images.
How many photos do I need to preserve my family’s story?
As few as 8 photos can create a powerful Reelic film. The key is choosing photos that represent different eras and moments — quality and variety matter more than quantity.
What if my family photos are old and damaged?
Scanned photos work well, even if they’re imperfect. Old, slightly damaged photos often carry the most emotional weight in a film. The imperfections add authenticity.
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