I think every family has an amazing story somewhere in its past. My wife’s family doesn’t have to go back too far.
Recently, they reconnected with long-lost relatives who survived the Holocaust. If you’ve heard of the book Suite Francaise, you might know part of the story. The author, Irene Nemirovsky, died in Auschwitz but left behind a suitcase with a manuscript, which her daughters were afraid to open for more than half a century because they couldn’t bear to read their mother’s final words.
When they finally did, they found not a journal but two finished novellas and notes for more. The book’s publication made headlines around the world. My wife’s great-grandfather was Nemirovksy’s cousin, and he never knew what became of her. Now, thanks to the book, the two sides of the family — in France and America — have reunited.
I wanted to help tell their remarkable family story, so I created a website for my wife’s mom, who has spoken about it to book clubs and library groups. The site is called Suite Francaise Family, and we plan to add more, including multimedia features and a photo gallery. It’s been a rewarding project and a nice opportunity to apply my online media skills to something a little more personal.
Next, maybe I’ll look for some great stories from my side of the family to tell.
Tags: history, suitefrancaise
