-In ancient times, there was a family member whose sole responsibility was to remember the family's genealogy.

They were a living history book.

But after generations, this treasured knowledge is slowly being erased.

When "Family Ingredients" first started, it was special for me to include my parents in the show.

Since then, both of my parents have passed on.

I cannot imagine a world where my children or grandchildren would not know the stories of their ancestors.

When we start a new episode of "Family Ingredients," we usually never know where the story will take us.

It all starts with a beloved family dish, and from there, we just gather stories.

We collect stories about people and places, and slowly the episode takes shape like lines of a chant.

These are the genealogies of communities, neighborhoods, families.

These people are the salt of the earth.

And by sharing their stories, we vow that their memory will continue to live on.