Leaders of two unrelated projects want to peruse the files in your mental catalog for the sake of local history.

It’s painless, they promise.

First, those working on phase 2 of the Natchez Trails Project are seeking memories, photos and anything else you may have associated with the history of St. Catherine Street.

The information obtained will be used along the trails when construction on the second phase begins.

The group is having a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Anyone who knows the history of the area is encouraged to attend or contact organizers at 601-442-2500.

The second project is geared toward those who would like to be a part of recording current — and future — history projects.

A group affiliated with the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration is offering a workshop on oral history projects.

Specifically, the group will focus on collecting memories of the Great Mississippi River flood. Sources are already lined up for interviews, but anyone is welcome to attend the workshop by registering via e-mail at fourb@bellsouth.net.

Both projects are important for future generations of our community, and we urge anyone with interest in either project to get involved in preserving today’s history for tomorrow.