Thanks for the Memories: When Family History Moves Even Hollywood Legends to Tears
Have you ever wondered what could leave Bob Hope, the master of quick wit and perfect timing, completely speechless? What could bring Jimmy Stewart, one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, to tears in front of a room full of reporters? The answer might surprise you – it was their family histories.
This week's episode of Stories That Live In Us features my conversation with George Ott, a professional genealogist whose career spans nearly five decades. His stories reveal how family history can touch hearts in the most unexpected ways, whether you're a celebrated entertainer or someone searching for your own roots.
The Power of One Box
In 1979, when George and his colleagues presented Bob Hope with a custom-made wooden box containing his family history, they couldn't have predicted his reaction. The box, inscribed with "Thanks for the Memories" – Hope's signature song – contained carefully researched documents, maps, and photographs that brought his family's story to life.
As Hope opened the box in front of hundreds of people at a banquet, tears began streaming down his face. "I usually have a joke for everything," he said, "but I don't have a joke right now." The man who had entertained troops across the globe and received countless awards told the crowd that while he had a warehouse full of memorabilia, this family history would stay in his living room.
Just months later, George witnessed a similar scene with Jimmy Stewart. After presenting Stewart with his own family history box, the actor took George and his colleagues to the set where he'd just filmed an emotional scene for "Mr. Kruger's Christmas." Standing there, Stewart told them that the feelings he experienced while looking through his family history were just as powerful as those he'd felt while filming his conversation with the baby Jesus.
The Whole Story
If you haven't already heard George's remarkable stories, take a moment to listen:
🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover:
- The unexpected family mysteries uncovered in Bob Hope's ancestry
- How Jimmy Stewart's family history connected to his faith
- The dramatic courtroom battle over a cherished family sampler
- Heart-touching stories of adoption reunions
- Why even celebrities can be moved to tears by family connections
The Power of One Story
George's stories remind us that family history isn't just about names and dates – it's about connection. Whether it's Bob Hope seeing childhood photos he'd forgotten existed, or an adopted woman discovering 150 new family members waiting to welcome her, these moments of connection transcend all other differences.
As George puts it, "Anybody who really gets into family history, everybody will find a story or a person that they're going to really connect to and it's going to touch you in your heart."
Story Seeds 🌱
Plant these conversation starters and watch your family stories grow.
- What family photos or documents bring tears to your eyes when you look at them? What memories or emotions do they stir up?
- If you could present a box of family history (or maybe a family tree chart) to someone in your family, who would it be and what would you want to include?
- Have you ever experienced an unexpected emotional reaction when discovering something about your family's past?
Story Sparks 🔑
Unlock your family's hidden stories with these research techniques.
- Create an ALBUM in your family tree gallery on Ancestry for “Family Treasures.” Upload pictures of important family heirlooms. Document the stories behind them. Add notes about who owns each item and why they matter to you.
- Use Ancestry's photo colorization tool to bring old black and white photos to life. Sometimes seeing ancestors in color can create powerful emotional connections.
- Search in Newspapers.com for articles about your family members. Like George did for Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart, you might find forgotten moments from their lives.
As George reminded us in our conversation, family history has the power to "soothe the savage beast and bring people together." Whether you're a Hollywood legend or someone just beginning to explore your family story, these connections can touch your heart in ways you never expected.
Ready to discover more stories that move hearts and bring families closer? Subscribe to Stories That Live In Us wherever you get your podcasts. And if this episode touched your heart, please leave us a rating and review - it helps other family story seekers find us.
© 2024 Crista Cowan. All rights reserved.
