Ed Brown blends high-tech talent with passion to create personal histories
Published in the April 29 – May 12, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Ed Brown, in his downtown Morgan Hill office, records personal histories for clients that include books, videos, tributes and memorials. For more information about Forget It Not, contact Brown at (408) 413-7981 or email him at [email protected]. Photo by Marty Cheek
Some people know at an early age what they want to do with their life. Others, it takes time to figure out what they are passionate about. Ed Brown, owner of Forget It Not, is in the latter category.
Forget It Not compiles an individual’s personal history in the form of an oral history crafted from interviews presented in a softbound or hardbound book, videos, ethical wills, tributes or memorials or any type of artwork. And it took Brown, 57, a few decades to learn he was born to record history.
“The idea came from a lot of soul searching about what I wanted to do with my life,” said Brown, who worked in the high-tech field for years before pursuing his dream. “Personal history resonated with me. It uses a lot of my skills and my passion is to pass on personal histories to other people. After doing a lot of research and talking to some organizations I belong to, it has really solidified that this is what I want to do with my life.”
For Brown, a personal history goes beyond the names and dates on a genealogy chart, beyond a listing in the alumni news or on a boardroom plaque. A personal history captures the stories behind the facts and infuses the past with vitality. Forget It Not is a full-service company that recreates people’s life histories.
“We go in and help them organize their pictures, make sure they have a backup system and determine what format they’d like it to be in, such as audio, a will, a book, a movie,” Brown said. “We produce and pass on their history to future generations. We also shoot in 4K – the latest format – and future-proof your movies.”
By telling an individual’s story, Forget It Not helps others discover the experiences that shaped them, Brown said. You capture the stories that make history come alive and you can enrich others’ understanding of your life and the times in which you lived.
“I’ve always loved the history part of it and I just love the people I’ve interviewed,” Brown said. “I really enjoy listening to their stories — like the 93-year-old woman who is sharper than I am — and I think they get a lot out of it themselves.”
Brown got interested in movies and pictures at young age, helping his dad shoot 8 millimeter movies. He attended Foothill Community College, then earned a degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and began a high-tech career in management, though he’s well versed in IT and has worked in customer service and taught electronics.
He sees Forget It Not at some point operating as a nonprofit organization.
“Everybody deserves to be able to tell their story, and I’d like to offer that to the citizens of Morgan Hill for free,” he said. “I really think even if you can’t afford it you should be able to tell your story.”
Brown, grew up in St. Louis and moved to Palo Alto when he was 13. A year ago he moved to Morgan Hill from Gilroy after spending 25 years in the Garlic Capital. He has a daughter.
“I really love downtown Morgan Hill,” Brown said from his second story office located at 17415 Monterey Road. The office has a well lit and organized studio to shoot videos, though he prefers to shoot them at a client’s home where they feel more relaxed.
Outside of the business, the new resident is involved with Toastmasters and the Downtown Association, where he volunteers for different events. Operation Freedom Paws is a cause close to his heart.
“They are a group that helps veterans and saves lives and are very inspirational,” he said. “I’ve always loved dogs and I support veterans.”
Although it took him time to discover his passion, Brown is happy helping others tell their stories.
“It’s good for me, good for the people, and I have a passion for that type of thing,” he said.
