Our family biography (2012): the day my dad started talking to us again
- Julieta Castagnaro
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
I'm Julieta, founder of The Allbum. I'm passionate about my work, I devote hours and hours to other people's stories, and as often happens, I put my own on the back burner.
In 2012, I had the great idea of making a book about my own family. Although I always knew how wonderful my work is, years later, I truly understood why these books exist. And I became convinced that I have the best job in the world.
The book that waited for its moment
When we made it, my children were 11 and 9 years old. We leafed through it, got a little emotional... and life went on. I felt that this book was there, quietly waiting, holding something important for later.
The farewell and a voice that returns
In 2023, my dad passed away. He was a naval engineer and founded a shipyard at the age of 35. The book tells the whole story of this process. We always said in the family that it was his third child. We decided to take his ashes there and plant a tree with them. We held a tribute at the shipyard, gathering with friends, family, and people from the naval industry.
My son read excerpts from the book: my father spoke again in the first person. There was laughter and tears; anecdotes, winks, his way of looking at the world. That day, I felt that the book had become an embrace.
What I learned (as a daughter and as a founder)
A family biography is not just an object: it preserves voices. Sometimes it arrives early and waits until we need it to remember, gather, and give thanks. That day, in front of the tree, I understood that these personalized books are bridges between generations. My dad will always live on among those of us who knew him, but he will also live on in my grandchildren, who are not yet born. And that gives me immense joy.
How we accompany these books at The Allbum
With listening, ideas, and closeness. We help organize memories, find the right first person, choose which photos and anecdotes best convey the essence of a family. We take care with the tone so that the book feels warm, human, and true. It is a handcrafted edition designed to be opened today... and also many years from now.
📩 Would you like to create your family's biography? I will accompany you with suggestions, patience, and a lot of listening to create a family history book that will last forever.
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