Granby Living Dec2018

BUSINESS PROFILE
Business Name: Merrill Memoirs
Owner: Sarah J. Merrill
Address: Granby, CT
Email: sarah@memoirsbymerrill.com
Website: www.memoirsbymerrill.com
Phone: (401) 258-5129
What services does your business provide to
the community?
I work with individuals and families to record
their family stories, research their family
histories, and write their individual memoirs.
I typically refer to myself as a “personal historian,”
but “memoirist,” “family historian” and
“ghost writer” are also accurate. Working with
Merrill Memoirs, the final product is generally
a beautiful heirloom-quality book, complete
with family photos. And from my perspective,
equally as important as the product, the experience
of life review and family story gathering is
enjoyable and rewarding, and can be fascinating,
energizing and even cathartic.
MERRILL MEMOIRS
Compiled by Francis Libby
PRESERVING FAMILY STORIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
What is the history of your business?
I launched Merrill Memoirs eight years ago
after working as an editor and journalist for
12 years. I earned an English literature degree
from Middlebury College, with a focus in fiction
writing, followed by programs in oral history
and documentary writing. About 15 years
ago, I launched a volunteer effort to gather the
stories of nursing home residents. This work
was so rewarding and so enjoyable, I decided
that oral history and memoir work was my
“calling.” I then discovered that a large network
of professionals was already doing “personal
history” work. I had all of the key skills — as
well as the passion — and I developed my business
skills along the way.
What is the philosophy behind your business?
My philosophy is simple: It’s important to
preserve personal and family history, beyond
just the photographs. Recording your stories
is a gift to yourself, your family and future
generations. There is no more important legacy
that a person can leave. I wish I’d asked my
maternal grandfather more questions about his
life before he passed away when I was in college.
I adored Grandpa Eldon but I really know
very little about his life. What a gift it would be
to have his stories in his own words! So many
people echo this sentiment when they learn
what I do. I encourage people to ask questions,
listen, learn and preserve, while they still have
the chance.
What do you enjoy most about the business?
I am a writer and I adore working with language
and crafting stories. But I also love the
process of interviewing people, of guiding them
through a review of their lives. I’ve worked
with dozens of individuals, and this process
has been significant and enjoyable for each and
every one of them. And for many of my clients,
it’s a tremendous comfort just to know that
their stories have been saved — a legacy.
Do you have a special message to share with
the Granby community?
It’s a message for everyone, actually. Don’t wait!
If you have family members who you believe
would enjoy having their stories recorded; if
you have a loved one who is aging; if you have
a family history that you’d like to pass along to
your kids and grandkids — it’s time now to begin
the process of writing things down. If you
are inclined to do it on your own, try to record
or write a story each week. Sit down with family
members, particularly those of advanced age
or poor health, and record their stories.
How do you make your workday fun?
Honestly, every workday is fun. I’m either in
the field, interviewing an interesting person, or
I’m in my home office in Granby, conducting
research, listening to recorded stories and transcribing
them, and crafting a narrative. I work
with local clients, many New England clients,
and I also travel further afield — last year I
worked with families in Maryland and Florida.
I typically have four or five projects going at
any given time. I feel fortunate and honored to
be working with such great families.
Tell us about yourself and family:
In addition to my roles as personal historian
and businessperson, I am a mother to two busy
boys, both in the Granby school system, Ray
(grade 5) and Luke (grade 8). My husband, Kevin
Staples, works as an actuary in Hartford. Our
family loves to hike and spend time outdoors;
we’re avid readers; we like watching movies
together; and we love Granby! When we moved
here four years ago from Rhode Island, we felt
immediately at home, and have found Granby
to be a very good fit for our family.
Sarah Merrill writes the Celebrating Seniors column for this publication.
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