Roots and Recall was created as a method to save local history through sharing and oh, does it work well. The site has been given images to post, which the donor subsequently lost and R&R was able to provide them in return. People have argued over the correct name for a community which few outside of the state have ever heard. One individual offered to give boxes of family images and paper to the site, R&R refused the kind offer, in hopes they will be placed in a secure archives. And a Kent State University professor, Geo. R. Garrison, recently provided R&R with a wonderful history – a list of African American citizens working in Rock Hill prior to 1928. These are just a few examples of shared history.
As I write this blog, it also occurs to me that I need to share some information with a 5th cousin, somewhere along there, that I found her great-great-grandparent’s historic home, which she knows nothing of because a third party shared the information with R&R. So, as the site is built, volunteers and students have begun assisting in entering data, writing histories and collaborating in meaningful ways. My great friend, Paul Gettys, continues contributing written histories, helping correct data, conducting research and otherwise helping keep the work interesting and professional. Another associate, Greg, helps write the FB entries and volunteers weekly and another who lives outside of Greensboro, updates architectural data. The Wikipedia of House History as R&R has been dubbed, is indeed a collaborative effort by many.
One of the newest volunteers recently offered to provide R&R with some upcoming videos of individuals who are passionate about their homes and preservation. What a major gift of time, talent and resources. We hope this pilot project will encourage individuals to have video interviews of their friends and relatives and post them on R&R. The site is not ready to receive them yet but will soon. Think of how you too might help contribute to the preservation of local history by offering your talents to Roots and Recall. We need volunteers in every community and yes, there are many avenues for you to contribute to this army of volunteers. R&R is currently looking for two student interns to help with the site this summer, interested send an email to info@rootsandrecall.com