What is Still Here?
Still Here is a living memory and genealogy platform. We help families record video testimonies — proper accounts of people's lives, in their own words — and build a private archive that future generations can access. The idea came from standing at a microfiche machine in Register House in Edinburgh and realising that everyone who came before had been reduced to a name and a date. Digital technology means that from now on, anyone who thinks to act can leave something entirely different behind.
Who is Still Here for?
Anyone who has someone in their life whose story matters and whose time to tell it is not unlimited. That includes families wanting to record an elderly relative before it is too late, genealogy researchers who understand that living memory is a primary source, and members of the Scottish diaspora who want to connect the family history they are researching to the people who still remember it.
What do I need to record a testimony?
A phone is enough. Still Here guides you through the setup — light, sound, framing — so the result is something worth keeping. You do not need professional equipment, a studio, or any technical knowledge beyond knowing how to use your phone's camera.
Can I record my own story, without being interviewed by someone else?
Yes — and many people do. Still Here is not only for families recording an elderly relative. It is also for people who have decided, for their own reasons, that it is time to speak for themselves. A diagnosis. A milestone. A simple recognition that the account of a life should not be left to chance. We have a dedicated guide for this: Recording your own story. It covers what to include, how to structure it, and how to speak to a camera when there is nobody else in the room. The vault where your testimony is stored is private and controlled by you. You decide who can access it and when.
Where does the recording go?
Recordings are stored in your private family vault — accessible only to the people you choose to share it with. It is not a social platform and not a public archive. The recording belongs to your family.
Is the vault available now?
The testimony recording feature and family vault are in development. Still Here launched on St Andrew's Day 2026 with our full editorial and guidance layer. The recording and vault features follow. If you want to be notified when they are live, you can register your interest on the homepage.
Can I use Still Here for genealogy research?
Still Here sits at the intersection of living memory and family history research. Our editorial content covers genealogy methodology, Scottish records, and the relationship between archival evidence and oral testimony.
Is Still Here only for Scottish families?
Still Here was founded in Scotland and launched with a particular connection to Scottish heritage and the Scottish diaspora. But the problem it exists to solve — the gap between what records preserve and what living people remember — is universal. The platform is open to anyone. The Scottish thread runs through our editorial identity, not through a restriction on who can use it.
How much does it cost?
The editorial content, guides, and tools on Still Here are free. The testimony recording and vault features will be offered on a straightforward pricing model when they launch. We will be transparent about what costs what and why.
What about privacy?
A family testimony is one of the most personal things a person can record. We take that seriously. Your recordings and family archive are private by default. You control who can access them. We do not use your content for training, advertising, or any purpose other than storing and delivering it to the people you choose. Full details are in our privacy policy.
I found something in an old archive I can't identify. Can Still Here help?
Our editorial content covers how to interpret old records, what different document types mean, and where to search for Scottish and Irish family history. If you have a specific research question, the genealogy communities we recommend in our guides are often the best place to find expert help quickly.
How do I get started?
Read the guides. Look at the questions we suggest for a conversation with an elderly relative. Think about who in your family you most need to talk to, and when. The first step is the conversation you keep meaning to have.