What evidence do you have that your ancestors ever existed? A few tidbits cultivated from the family Bible, some half-forgotten family stories, perhaps a few dogeared photographs?
For David Morse, these tentative legacies weren't good enough. Morse transformed his desire to record and preserve personal histories into Infinite Humanity, a place on the Web where all are welcome to tell their story.
"I don't even know my own father as well as I'd like," said Morse, a Los Angeles entrepreneur who launched his dream 10 December, "much less my great-grandparents. What if I had access to their life stories, in their own words? Everyone all over the world has a unique story to tell and now they have a way to share them."
All are welcome to participate in Infinite Humanity. Millennium participation, in which users can list a few vital stats about themselves, is free. Space for more involved stories, birth announcements, or memorial remembrances is available for a one-time fee of US$5 to $10.
Infinite Humanity guarantees that future generations will be able to see the histories by using upgradeable technology and a perpetual care program governed by its own foundation.
Morse envisions a permanent record of life stories available to anyone in the future. "Perhaps some day we can look back and really understand who was here and what they were like," said Morse. "The Egyptians did this with the pyramids. They left personal legacies sealed up with stone and thousands of years later we're opening it up and learning about their culture firsthand."
Ann Cheslaw, a Los Angeles marketing executive, hopes that she'll leave a twofold legacy to her friends and family, or anyone who chooses to visit the site.
"In my family, the oral history was lost with my grandparents; it just disappeared and what I remember is so intangible. This is a present to the future generations," she said. "Not only will this be a family history, but those who come after me can read about life in the 1990s -- the things we use, our traditions, our passions. If Ben & Jerry's isn't here in the future ... well then, someone will still be able to read about this crazy Ann Cheslaw who liked Cherry Garcia."
Morse excitedly anticipates the growth of his baby. One important critic is already professing approval.
"My 18-year-old son said 'Dad, this is really cool,'" Morse laughed. "Let me tell you, I never expected my kid would think anything I did is cool. That's the ultimate compliment."
