Resource library
Memory preservation resources
A curated, opinionated list of tools that actually work — for capturing voice, scanning photos, digitizing old video, organizing family history, and building something that lasts longer than the device you saved it on.
Recording voice and interviews
The voice is the most fragile and most valuable thing to capture.
- Voice Memos (iPhone) — built in, surprisingly good quality
- Otter.ai — automatic transcription, searchable by keyword later
- Rev — affordable human transcription when accuracy matters
- Zoom or Google Meet — for relatives in other cities, with cloud recording enabled
Scanning photos and documents
Most family photos sit in shoeboxes. Get them digital before the next move.
- Google PhotoScan — free, removes glare, works with any phone
- Epson FastFoto FF-680W — best at-home scanner for bulk family photo libraries
- LegacyBox — mail-in service for slides, prints, and negatives
- ScanCafe — slower but high quality for very old or damaged photos
Digitizing old video and film
VHS tapes have roughly 20–30 years before they're unreadable. Most of yours are already past that.
- LegacyBox or iMemories — full-service, mail-in
- Costco Photo Center — affordable for bulk VHS and 8mm
- A local film-transfer specialist for Super 8, 16mm, or anything fragile
Family trees and genealogy
Useful for the structure of a family. Less useful for the stories inside it.
- Ancestry.com — biggest database for US records
- FamilySearch — free, run by a nonprofit, surprisingly powerful
- MyHeritage — strong for European records and photo enhancement
Shaping what you've captured into something someone can keep
The hardest part isn't capturing memories. It's turning a folder of files into something a person actually wants to open. That's the gap Preserve fills: you bring a few specific moments — a memory, a photo, a short voice note — and Preserve shapes them into one private thing you can give to the person it's about. One person's moments make a complete Preserve. Inviting a handful of others who knew them is optional.
Free question prompts and conversation guides
If you don't know where to start, start here.
- StoryCorps Great Questions list — free, beautifully written
- Our guide: Questions to Ask Your Parents
- Our guide: Questions to Ask Your Grandparents
- Our guide: How to Preserve Family Stories
Camilamy twin sister 
Errolmy dad 
Sun-heemy mom 
Vikmy chemistry teacher 
XinyiGirlfriend 
Lolamy grandmother 
Wenmy husband 
Margiemy mom 
Raymy dad
Don't just read about it. Start.
Preserve helps you collect the stories, voice, and lessons of the people who shape your life — whether they're still with you or not.
Preserve someone you love →