Annette's Dictionary — Language, Family Heritage & the Power of Words

In our closing episode of Season Two, we’re joined by Annette Gendler, writer, teacher, and author of How to Write Compelling Stories from Family History. Annette shares the story of her father’s Latin-German dictionary, a well-worn heirloom that has outlived generations and continues to carry meaning far beyond the words on its pages.

This conversation invites us to think about the role of language in family memory, how everyday objects become vessels of history, and why writing about heirlooms can open doors into stories we didn’t know how to tell. Annette also speaks about her workshops, where she guides others in finding and shaping their own family narratives, often beginning with a single cherished object.

As we close out this season of Keepsake Chronicles, Annette’s story reminds us that keepsakes are more than artifacts. They are starting points, invitations to write, to remember, and to connect the threads of the past with the lives we’re living now.

Resources & Links

• Connect with Annette: annettegendler.com
• Learn more about our community: fragilemoments.org/community
• Submit your own keepsake story: nottodaymedia.com/keepsake
• Say hello on ⁠Instagram.⁠

Creators and Guests

Host

J.D. Murgolo

Founder of Story House

What is Keepsake Chronicles | Family Heirlooms, Oral History & Legacy?

Every family has stories that only one person still remembers. Keepsake Chronicles with J.D. Murgolo is a history and legacy podcast dedicated to capturing those stories before they’re gone — one conversation, one memory, one keepsake at a time.