Family stories are integral to our lives, and are passed down from one generation to the next. They are valued because they are a part of our personal heritage. The people behind the stories are also valued, not only for their contributions during difficult times in our nation’s history, but for the lasting legacy they will leave behind – the lessons learned. Every day, stories of the Great Depression, World War II, and the Post-War Boom are lost as important letters, diaries and photographs are thrown away. If we don’t act quickly, a large part of the legacy of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation will be lost.
The Share Your Story website is a component of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Minnesota’s Greatest Generation project. The mission of this ambitious four-year endeavor is to collect and preserve the stories of Minnesota men and women who lived through the generation-defining decades of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. It is our hope, through this website, to reach Minnesotans statewide and offer a convenient way for them to tell their stories.
Members of the Greatest Generation, their descendents and friends are invited to write and submit stories and photographs. All stories are important! If you aren’t sure what to write about, view an example for inspiration. Stories must be kept to a maximum of 8,000 characters (about 2 pages, single-spaced).
Please note: if you are using material that belongs to someone else, such as letters, diaries, photographs, audio or video recordings, you are responsible for getting the permission of the author or owner, or a legal representative. For more information on copyright issues, please refer to our site guidelines.
Stories collected will be edited, entered into a searchable database, and posted on the website. They will be held indefinitely in an electronic archive for the benefit of future generations. Researchers can search the database by story category, by keywords, or by browsing the Story and Image Archives, and can email stories of interest to friends and family directly from the website.
Share Your Story is an internet-only project, which means that stories sent by mail or fax cannot be accepted. If you would like an alternative way to tell your story, please visit our oral histories web page.