Writing Genealogy and Family History

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This group is for those who of us who are interested in writing out our genealogies and family histories for ourselves and/or others, in any form.
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How do you know when to start writing?

by Kate Steere

Jul 24, 2009

Hi everyone-
I'd like to do a little write up of the work I've done on my grandmother's side, as she is turning 84 this year, and her memory is getting a little sketchy. I think I'd like to make her a little book that has photos, any newspaper articles I can find, some images of documents, and also a write up of the relationships, not really a tree, but just an easy to read description of the relationships in her family. I want it to be easy enough for her to understand and follow and have it as a keepsake for her upcoming birthday.

Does anyone have suggestions? I use Linux as my operating system, and would probably use Scribus(a Linux desktop publishing system).

I'm just wondering when do you have enough info to actually start composing the document/book? I want to make it as accurate as I can for her.

Thank you!
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    William S Dean

    Finding a simple easy-to-follow narrative style is the best beginning of genealogical gift books, I think. Write as conversationally as possible as if you were telling someone the background of your family saga -- it doesn't have to be strictly chronological but should include interesting, fun, and poignant anecdotes when possible. Relate the family events to what else was going on in the country, state, region, or world at the same time for a perspective. I also agree with the poster who said, write it now and keep a record of revisions as you add more later.

    Jul 31, 2009

    • up

      Rose Marie Morrell

      I just joined this group, so my advice is a little late, but hopefully helpful.
      Since I write histories as my profession, I would do as everyone has suggested: DO IT NOW! Write what you've got.

      If you haven't ready many biographies or autobiographies, just glance through some and you might get some ideas you like.

      Clients come to me because I use a natural, conversational style that is easy to read and clearly creates images in your mind. When I coach people who are writing histories, my number 1 rule is: This is not a high school or college research paper. It will not come back to you with red marks and a low grade on it. It is YOUR (or your grandmother's) story. Write it like a conversation with an old friend--filling in the details you know for the events that are included.

      Old Jewish Proverb,

      "Give a person a fact and you enlighten their mind; tell them a story and you touch their soul."

      Family stories are the best!

      Aug 3, 2009

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        Shawn Collins

        For e, the best way to "write" was to break out the video camera, and just sit and talk with my grandmother. As she spoke, I asked questions, and prodded her memory, and when the weekend was all said and done, I had four two hour video tapes wth her telling stories about her youth. I was amazed at how reviewing these tapes opened doors for genealogy, and was shocked at how much talking about it, jogged her memory, and unleashed a flood of other memories I had never heard before. I transcribed the videos, and printed them out and shoved it in a genealogy folder, and am working on transferring the videos to dvd.

        Aug 9, 2009