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The Messenger-Inquirer Family Stories on Rockport Diner's Menu Column: Family Stories on Rockport Diner's Menu

Posted on: Friday, 31 March 2006, 18:00 CST

By Suzi Bartholomy, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

Mar. 31--ROCKPORT, Ind. -- General interest in genealogy started about 30 years ago, as the curious began searching birth and death records to learn more about the branches in their family trees.

But Franklin "Frank" Wike of Rockport, Ind., wanted more than names and dates. He wanted stories, so he started recording the oral histories of anyone who wanted to share their life experiences, or tell about the good old days when there was no television or electronic gadgets.

In 2000, Wike started U.S. Legacies, a monthly magazine that publishes these stories. Then he started a Web site where people write their own stories to share with others all over the world.

So far, writers from 13 countries and 17 states have posted their works at http://www.uslegacies.org.

Wike's latest innovation is the Legacy Diner on Sycamore Street in Rockport. The restaurant has the beginnings of a retro motif. He's begun collecting old posters and pictures, and he has a 1940s style jukebox with songs from the '40s, '50s and '60s. The counter is reminiscent of those found in Kresge's and other dime stores that became extinct about 35 years ago.

But one end of the store is in deep contrast to the other elements of the diner. Three computers for customer use sit on a long desk. And if customers have their own computers, there are laptop hookups at each booth.

Most days someone comes in to either record or type a story about his or her life. These anecdotes are edited and placed on the Wike's Web site and in his magazine.

Wike thinks that everyone has interesting and important stories that should be passed on to future generations.

"A local woman came in who was in her 90s and wanted her life documented for her children and grandchildren," Wike said. "A volunteer interviewed her and typed her account." A printed copy was sent to her at no charge.

Wike has a set of questions that are asked at all interviews. "We also ask about recipes and what kind of food they ate," he said. The recipes are also posted on the Web site.

"I asked an older gentleman how they kept ice cream, and he said they didn't keep it, they ate it," he said. There was no refrigeration.

There is no charge for recording histories. U.S. Legacies magazine sells for $3.50, and other than a few contributions, Wike foots the bills. Why? He said he regrets not knowing much about his father, and the more he learns about the era in which his dad lived, the more he feels he knows about him.

But he also thinks everyone owes it to their families to leave as much information about themselves that they can. "I wish someone had done this for me," he said.

And written accounts are not the only signs of life that people should leave behind. "We are a throwaway society," Wike said. "We should be saving things for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

Articles of clothing will be cherished by them some day, he said.

Wike also takes his plea on the road and conducts seminars anywhere he can afford to go. "I stress the impact these stories will have on families, and I teach the importance of preserving old photographs.

"Our ancestors did not have the means to record their lives," he said. "Some did not read or write." But people now have the benefit of computers and tape recorders. Everyone should leave a legacy, he said.

And what better place to get started, but a cafe where you can have a cup of coffee, talk endlessly about yourself and have someone genuinely interested in what you have to say.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Messenger-Inquirer

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