A method and system for archiving and retrieving digital media items based on episodic memory of predefined associated groups of one or more people comprises: receiving an input identifying a group to which the user belongs; receiving user archiving input identifying a digital media item to be archived for the group, selecting zero or more group event types from a predetermined plurality of group event tapes for the group, selecting zero or more persons in the group, and selecting a time; generating index information using the received user archiving input; storing the indexed information in association with the identified digital item; repeating the reception of user archiving input, the generation of the index information and the storing of the index information for a plurality of digital media items; receiving a user retrieval input selecting or automatically selecting: zero or more groups of event types from the predetermined plurality of group event types for the group, zero or more persons in the group, and a time period; and using the selections and the identified group to retrieve and output digital media items that match the selection.