Because if your memories are not already in a digital format, then

they are neither safe NOR permanent.

FACT 1:

All non-digital formats, from photographs to videotapes, were never designed to be permanent; they were designed to be affordable and easy to use. 

But those formats are only temporary and they are slowly destroying themselves.

It is inevitable...it WILL happen and IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

FACT 2:

Only two things can happen to your non-digital items:
1) They will continue to slowly deteriorate on their own; and/or
2) Something else (fire, water, sunlight, heat, humidity, moisture, mold, etc) will damage or destroy them all at once.

Either way, YOU LOSE.  But IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

Don't let your family memories literally fade away.