In the past 34 years Sally MacNamara Ivey has read and researched over 10,000 vintage diaries. What she shares here in her talk is how that journey began, how it has changed her life and the power of the handwritten word. Everybody has an untold story worthy of telling. Sally MacNamara Ivey has been collecting and researching diaries since 1987. Since then she has had the privilege of reading over 10,000 original vintage diaries. Sally began her own diary at the age of 10 and was later given her great-grandmothers diary. Sally's life changing journey soon began and all because of the precious handwritten words and untold stories of those who have gone before her. Her extensive collection spans from 1792 to 2010. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx