How We Disappear: Memory, Tech and Small Erosions

What happens when our memories, photographs, documents, and digital lives slowly disappear? How can we ensure that future generations inherit not just our records, but our stories? In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris sits down with historian Tom Mullaney to discuss his thought-provoking book, How We Disappear, and the many ways history can be lost—not only through catastrophic events but through the gradual erosion of personal records, family archives, and digital information. Together, they explore how family photographs, genealogical records, digital files, government documents, and everyday information shape our understanding of identity, memory, and history. The conversation examines how archives preserve our collective past while also revealing how systems of naming, classification, technology, and recordkeeping can unintentionally erase individuals, families, and communities from history. Whether you're researching your family tree, preserving oral histories, organizing digital photographs, or simply wondering how to protect your family's legacy, this episode offers valuable insights into genealogy, archival preservation, and digital heritage. In This Episode ✔️ Why people and histories disappear over time ✔️ The importance of preserving family photographs and documents ✔️ Digital archives and protecting your online legacy ✔️ How archives shape historical memory ✔️ Naming, classification, and the power of recordkeeping ✔️ Genealogy and preserving family history for future generations ✔️ Practical strategies for safeguarding your personal and family archives If you're passionate about genealogy, family history, archives, historical research, digital preservation, or public history, this episode provides practical advice and a fresh perspective on protecting the stories that matter most. 🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for conversations exploring Caribbean history, genealogy, archival research, historical preservation, and the hidden stories that connect generations.   Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Disappear-Personal-Information/dp/1324020784   Bio:  Thomas S. Mullaney is a historian, author, and Professor of Chinese History at Stanford University. His research explores the intersection of history, technology, archives, and information systems. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including How We Disappear, which examines how people, memories, and everyday records gradually vanish over time. His work challenges us to rethink preservation, digital memory, and the ways history is recorded and remembered.   History Podcasts For Historians https://blog.feedspot.com/history_podcasts_for_historians/  Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkshirehalleppingpress/  Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV  Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3  Prayer Journal: https://a.co/d/bfSdIl0  The Emotions of Researching your Family Tree: https://www.amazon.ca/Emotions-Researching-Your-Family-Tree-ebook/dp/   Support The Podcast https://ko-fi.com/disafimihistory/tip  Great Research Resource https://www.ancestorsofparadise.com/  Clothes https://effystyle.goaffpro.com/  Reservations for Barbados https://diaspora-discoveries.com/reservations  Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=74ffcf  Cultural Roots: https://www.skool.com/cultural-roots-reconnection-8301/about?ref=62a97470644b496897d06254e6796add    Recorded Music Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed) 🎧 Subscribe to Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast for thought-provoking conversations exploring Caribbean history, genealogy, African diaspora studies, and the untold stories hidden within archives around the world. #DisAFiMiHistoryPodcast #TomMullaney #HowWeDisappear #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Archives #ArchivalResearch #DigitalPreservation #DigitalArchives #HistoricalResearch #PublicHistory #OralHistory #FamilyPhotos #HistoricalMemory #DigitalLegacy #GenealogyResearch #PreserveYourHistory #DocumentaryResearch #HistoryPodcast #WendyAris