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However, if you can remember the ’60s, you weren’t there

The Point Roberts Historical Society is trying to tap the community’s collective memory.

Starting next month society members will start handing out short survey asking for people’s stories. How are they connected to Point Roberts? When and why did they or their family come to the Point? What made them stay? How long have they been here?

“It’s to get people to tell their stories so we can all contribute something and let others know why this is such a special place,” said society member Shannon Tomsen.

Tomsen said the personal history surveys would also be available at the local library. “This is intended for everybody, anybody,” she said, not limited to families who have been here for decades, or to people who make Point Roberts their primary home. The survey asks for anecdotes and photos as well as dates and names.

How the historical society will use the surveys will depend to some extent on the response they get. “If we get a lot of responses and some really interesting stories maybe some day we’ll make a book,” Tomsen said.

The society is also hoping that by involving more members of the community they can unearth more details of local history. “Some people have real history that they may not be sharing,” Tomsen said. The group now has a recorder specifically to help them collect oral histories.

The historical society meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the community center. They can also be contacted by email at historicalsociety@ pointroberts.net or by mail at P.O. Box 780, Point Roberts 98281.