GreatLifeStories.com Invites Seniors, Boomers and Echo Boomers to Tell the Stories of 20th Century America in Their Own Words

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- They lived through the Roaring 20's, Great Depression, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the psychedelic '60's, and Civil Rights Marches. They invented liberation movements of all kinds, environmentalism, pop culture and counter-culture. They are the wealthiest, most influential, most inventive generations in US history.

Beginning today, Seniors, Baby Boomers, and Echo Boomers have a powerful new free web site to help them capture stories of values, faith, careers, romance, wars, controversy, wins, losses, and yes, even mundane events of their lives.

GreatLifeStories, Inc. announces the debut of a new, easy-to-use web site that lets people gather, share and grow treasured individual and family stories, memoirs, and biographies for families today, and for future generations.

"This is the easy version of MySpace for our parents' and grandparents' generations," said Phil Gibson, CEO and Founder. "Stories and personalities are a family's most precious legacy. GreatLifeStories is an online community designed with great respect for the accomplishments of previous generations. We strive to make it easy to celebrate life and preserve great stories forever."

GreatLifeStories features thousands of unique and memorable stories such as Emilia Gallegos, the little girl who survived a hair-raising escape across a bridge with bullets flying from Pancho Villa's men during the Mexican Revolution. John Rialson was an aspiring trumpet player who was thrust into the big-time when tapped to join Linda Ronstadt's touring band in the 70's. Or Ralph Appio, a young man who survived battle in Pusan, Korea, to return to a farm that grew into Silicon Valley.

INSTANT DIGITAL "COOL" FOR MOM, DAD, GRANDMA OR GRANDPA

It's simple to start a GreatLifeStory for oneself, a family member or friend. Once started, people grow the story themselves, or invite others to add unique memories and recollections. Stories expand quickly and organically into a rich, fully rounded 360-degree portrait of an individual or family.

"Imagine a family gathering together to capture the memoirs of Grandma and Grandpa. In an hour or two using GreatLifeStories, adults and grandkids get a family history lesson that the grandparents might never otherwise get around to telling them. In addition, Grandma and Grandpa will feel so cool as they join the digital age by creating their own great-looking personal website," Gibson said.

"Memories are priceless when delivered in someone's own words. The spirit of Grandma is so much more real when her Irish roots come through in the sound of her own voice for future generations," said Gibson.

For an example, check out the hilarious story of John Matson's first date at (Due to length of URL, please cut and paste into browser.) http://www.greatlifestories.com/life_story/romance_and_marriage/john_matson/10 2_5.html

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS

3 Easy Steps: With a few mouse clicks, a user can start typing, upload photos, and publish their Great Life Story in moments.

Create Custom-Printed Personal Memoir Books: Another click, and you assemble your own Great Life Story into a handsome booklet. These make treasured mementos for birthdays, anniversaries, or any important life event.

Choice of Privacy and Security Options: GreatLifeStories is 100% secure. A user can designate access security as private, restricted to friends and family, or public. People can change their security preference at any time.

Easy, Inspirational Browsing: Individuals or families can browse the site and check out the newest story additions and vote for their "Favorites" or they can browse Great Accomplishments, Great Relationships, Great Health, Great Success, or Great Escapes.

Unique Navigation Design: GreatLifeStories is organized into 12 life "chapters." Sample chapter titles include "Funnybones," "Romance and Marriage," and "School Days." In each chapter, on-screen questions and video tutorials guide users, making it easy to organize and capture years of memories. People can easily upload photos to illustrate each life chapter.

Powerful Visual Search: GreatLifeStories features a custom-designed search engine that quickly and easily finds connections across life stories. It's amazing how many shared experiences surface when you can leverage new technology to discover that people shared the same experience in their era.

ABOUT GREATLIFESTORIES

Founded in 2006, GreatLifeStories is privately-held, values-driven company dedicated to using the latest technology to create meaningful connections among individuals and families across generations. GreatLifeStories is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The web site is at www.GreatLifeStories.com

    KEY FACTS ABOUT THE AUDIENCE
    America's "Silver Tsunami"
      -- In 2010, for the first time the majority of the US population will be

         45+, a change that represents a major turning point for the US
         population
      -- 8000 Americans turn 60 every 24 hours
      -- By 2030, there will be 71 million seniors 65+

    Seniors: the fastest-growing wired generation
      -- Adults 55+ are the fastest growing sector of the PC buying public.
      -- 70% of seniors who own a computer use the Internet regularly.
      -- More than one third of wired seniors have researched their family's
         history or genealogy
      -- An average retired senior who is online spends more time online than
         an average teenager

    Seniors and Boomers' Non-Traditional Attitudes Towards Aging
      -- Seniors feel 12-15 years younger than their actual age
      -- Retirement is about being active and adventurous
      -- Older Americans are experimental and like to try new things
      -- More socially active than previous generations, today's Seniors want
         to mentor and pass on their experience
      -- "Cool" aging is in.  The "Me" generation likes status

Sources: US Census, SeniorNet, AARP, Alliance for Aging Research, GrandParent Marketing Group, Pew Internet & American Life Project, US Agency on Aging

    More Information:
    Mike Brozda
    GreatLifeStories
    Mike.brozda@yahoo.com
    (831) 234-5854