When Ancestry.com came out with their online publishing I started using that and was able to get a free copy of what I had put in. I found it too limiting for my creativity. But it did provide some decent templates that it pulled in from you online Family Tree.

Yup, I just checked it out and MagCloud does indeed want a PDF. That means you can use any publishing tool you wish and then generate a PDF from the results. The MagCloud idea is quite interesting. Maybe a different magazine for each line of the family. In my case: Doolittle, Newman, Gladfelter, Gary, Kenyon

I forgot the Norweigians! My mother and aunt would roll over in their graves. :0

I would love to write a book on my family history, but I don't know where to start. I have this information, but I'm not exactly sure how to organize it for a book.

Meilissa,
I've started a discussion topic. If you slect "view All" in the Discussion Forum you can check out the discussion there. Add your thoughts and maybe we all can share.

I divided mine by family lines, going in the "traditional order" of father then mother. It seems to work out for me, at least so far. But then again, doing it that way, I have (at the moment, bc I could discover I missed someone and add another section) 29 sections to my book. Huge. I know.

You could also do one family at a time. Start with the family with which you have the most information. If you have a lot on your maternal grandmother's paternal grandmother, then start with her family and just focus on that. It really all depends on what your goal is and what your focus is.

I am the author of two books on my family history, Pieces of the Quilt: The Mosaic of An African American Family, and Notes And Documents of Free Persons of Color. I spent over twenty years researching and documenting my maternal lines. I have recently started documenting my father's side of the family. Several members of my family, and myself have taken DNA tests, which were not surprising, but very interesting. I am also hosting a blogTalk Radio Show, titled Anita Talks Genealogy,. I will doing a Book Presentation at George Washington Birthplace ...

Welcome Anita, I've sure you can help those of us who just starting. Good Luck with your presentation.

Welcome to the group! You sure do have a lot of experience and I'm sure you have much to bring to our group!

Hello, I am new to your group. I have been researching for over 35 years. At my reunion I was asked to write a family history book, and I do plan to do that, but something in my heart wants to write a historical fiction book. If I can get the first one done, then I would like to continue with the other women in the family. Has anyone else done a historical fiction book so they can fit the pieces together in a way to tell more about the way people survived during a certain period of time. One of my grandmothers had 14 children, and her mother-in-law had 11 children. What joys they certainly experienced and the hardships they faced. I can remember my father telling me there were so many kids, yes she raised 4 orphan boys in addition to her 14, he had to eat off a syrup can lid. He said when his mom put the plate of biscuits on the table you forked them, or you didn't eat. In doing the book as historical fiction, I can tell all the stories I have been told over the years and also include my genealogy research. Have any of you done this type of writing? Any advice.

Good evening all

I'm interested in joining your group but from a slightly different perspective. I'm interested in writing my own family history but at the moment I work as a Civil Celebrant and, as part of my work, I write eulogies or reflections on life for my clients. I'm hoping by sharing with you I might be able to improve my skills and my service to my clients and hopefully make a contribution to the group too. What do you think? regards

Lynda

Lynda,

That is an interesting job. Do you also do videos for your clients? In the last year and a half I've done 4, my aunt/mother (twins), boss' father-in-law & wife, the son of a co-worker. Those make good celebrations of life.

Welcome to the group. I'd say any help and/or support will be accepted.

Priscilla:

That is exactly what the book "Roots" is. Most of the book is made up but based on a few historical facts about his particular family. (Actually, there is a lot of plagiarism in the book, too, but that's really beyond the point.) So it's definitely been done before! I think that idea sounds wonderful.

If you're writing a family history book, but really want to a historical fiction book, you could combine them, assuming of course you want to share that book with others. Or you could simply just print out a large chart of your family tree to take to the next reunion. That why you can really dive into your book. If that is where your heart is, I think we all know that it will be a much better and detailed book than just a family history book, especially since you will have more motivation to complete it.

Your idea sounds like great fun! Good Luck and do keep us posted on how that goes (-:

Lynda

That sounds a wonderful job. I assume the families give you information on the person's life and family and you put it in words, in a concise and meaningful manner. How amazing for those families. I'm sure you are greatly appreciated by your clients.

I like the video idea, too. I've seen some wonderful videos for funerals and for weddings. They truly capture the person's (or persons') spirit. I made a video slide show, complete with music, for my daughter's six month birthday. We had a little celebration where we painted a pot and planted a tree in it. It was very healing for me (since her birth was not ideal). I can only imagine how healing something like that would be for someone who lost a loved one.

Of course you are welcomed here. If you will notice (and Priscilla, too) I changed the group description a little bit. I didn't really think about it when I first wrote it, but I wanted to make sure you felt included. (-:

I'm not sure if I can find it again, but I found a site that would print out huge poster size family trees. They provide the software. You run your GEDCOM through the software and it generates (in my case) a huge family tree. You send this file to them and for $20 they will print it out for you. Then you can take it to Staples and have it copied for about $5 each. I had copies made for each of my siblings and a couple of cousins and gave them out at my aunt's memorial service. Everyone thought they were really neat. P.S. I have over 900 names in my Family Tree Maker file.

Ancestryprinting.com will print large family trees as well. They offer three sizes, 24", 36" 42" wide and as long as you need them. They have their own printing press and everything so the tree is on one continuous sheet of paper.

I have a lot of names to add my file tonight and should getting more within the week. Currently I'm at 1263. I should break 1500 easy by the end of the week. Hopefully I'll get more. I really want to hit 2000!

Priscilla,
One thing I would suggest you do is see if you can find first person journals of the timeframe you are writing. I wrote a novel based on the Oregon Trail. I found a whole set of published journals written by women. The one thing I found about these journals was the control of emotion. They spent more time describing rather than sharing emotions. They would mention the death of a child or other relative, but didn't share their grief. I think in learning what they went through and understanding the emotions that would go with the event, you can write realistic events for your ancestors. Let's say for example my gg grandmother was born in Kansas in 1860 and as a child experienced her parents assisting in the underground railroad. So I need to study that era and try to get first person accounts. Then I can describe how my gg grandmother's life might have fit into the era. I need to find the quote, but one author wrote novels about a real person and said she wrote "a biography of a life imagined". Something like that.

Hi Caro,
I just joined the group and was reading all the comments. I saw your post about a proof-reading circle and was wondering if you've formed one yet. I'm new to the genealogy thing and I've gotten lots of family information online, however I don't know how to organize it either. A book is a great idea as I've got 4 kids and only 1 will be able to take what I have now. Long story short I figure proof-reading others' work I will find something that works for me, or at least get an idea of where to go from here.

Hey Brenda

The proof reading circle is more or less whenever anyone needs it. My thought was that someone would post a thread or respond to the master thread and upload the file through the post, unless someone has a better idea. I would suggest though that any files being uploaded and such would be in PDF form so that everyone would be able to see the files, regardless of what programs are on their computers.

I haven't started much either. I'm working on writing my Register Forms and making sure I have everyone, which isn't exactly an easy task since so few people (in the particular family I'm working on at the moment) are being helpful; most are just ignoring my emails.

If you are looking for some ideas on how to put your information together, I suggest you talk to Trudy. She seems to have a lot of experience in this field. (-:

Welcome to the group and good luck with your writing!

Many thanks to Trudy and Caro for their welcoming posts. To answer your question Trudy I don't make the DVD photo shows for as I don't often have the time but they are becoming more and more popular here at funerals/celebrations of life. I travel quite long distances to meet my clients and with often only two days before the service, I wouldn't have the time. It is an area I'm just about to start improving my skills though especially as I've just come back from our local nursing home where I spoke to a group of residents and their carers about family stories where they showed me a wonderful DVD their inspired social worker has put together showing photos of their happy times set to music of their choosing. It was wonderful to see their faces light up as they see themselves in happier days on the screen. I have spoken to a number of volunteer and service groups about family stories in my area and I always hear such wonderful tales of their lives which is so rewarding for me.

regards

Lynda

I just joined the group. I'm a freelance writer and write mostly for genealogy magazines. I am currently writing my own family history book. I really love to write life stories. For me genealogy isn't just about discovering the facts of a person's life, although I do enjoy uncovering the mystery and the chase involved in looking for a document. I really enjoy linking all those facts together to really see the person and the life story behind them. Looking forward to being a part of your group.

Just joined - have researched extensively and am ready to start writing family history, but am a novice at this. What's the best application to use to create a book - Word?

Julie,
I used word in Windows XP, which has all of the features you need to create your document. You can add the Table of Contents, footnotes, end notes, and index (if you desire).

Lynn,
You hit the nail on the head. Profiling my ancestors is the most exciting part of this journey.

Anita

I've just joined. This is something I definitely want to know more about so I can do an effective job when I'm ready to work on mine.

Blessings,
Joann

Just joined. Looking forward to getting to the point where I am ready to put it all together to print. Still in the research and confirming stage. Having problems finding records in Kentucky due to many of them lost due to fires.

Hi everyone!
I recently joined this group for a two reasons. First, after 6 years of researching my family lines, many of which are 10 or more generations, documented, I am finally getting around to trying to put this into written form for the rest of the family. Secondly, I am seriously considering starting a business helping others to write their life stories and/or ethical wills, and genealogy (I am being laid-off from my paying job, and after 30 years, want to follow my own dreams rather than someone else's again!). This looks to be a great place to ask questions, bounce ideas around, and learn from each other, not to mention the proofreading circle (respecting any future client confidentiality issues, of course) so that's my "story." :-)

Betty - I've had the same problems with several military records. Apparently there was a fire in California where a lot of the records were kept at one point and the building burned to the ground. I assume that's why I can't find a lot of the military records I've been looking for.

What an active group! My Mom & I have written a book of fiction - the first in a series - that incorpoates genealogy searches and the history of the places they visit into the story. I'm working on the rewrite now and starting to look into publishing options, while Mom is working out the storyline for book 2. From all I've read about the sad state of publishing today, it looks like self-publishing may be the best option, since I'm not a celebrity or a famous writer with a proven track record. Any tips on possible publishers would be appreciated.

Kay
I posted a link above for that exact reason (-: It gives you a list of different self-publishers and you should be able to get reviews for them, too. Good luck with the rewrite!

Oh! I stupidly assumed the links on the side were just ads! Now that I take a moment to actually look at them I see they're valuable resources. Thanks, Caro for all your hard work!

Not a problem, any time

The links on the side are ads but the ones above the discussion forum are the ones I posted. It gets confusing, I know. I missed them a few times myself. If you find anything more to add to that, just let me know and I'll add it.

It's so great to know others are thinking about the same things as I am. Self-publishing seems very attractive to me too, but resources being as limited as they are, and the wisdom gained through experience that tells me not every business offering their "services" has my best interests at heart, I've been very cautious to jump into this arena. I'm guessing you feel the same way. If so, then you should take a look at a book I recently discovered at Barnes & Noble . . . "The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, Third Edition" by Mark Levine. The subtitle is "The Contracts & Services of 45 Self-Publishing Companies -- Analyzed, Ranked & Exposed." This third edition was published in 2008, but it is not outdated. I highly recommend it. If you don't want to purchase it, at least go to a bookstore and look up the entry for the self-publisher you might be considering before you start handing over any money. I know I was surprised and grateful that I found the book before it was too late ! It also has a good introduction on what to expect if you work with a traditional publisher. I'd love to hear any other suggestions!

That is a fabulous suggestion. Thank you so much! I will definitely do that. I probably won't buy it any time soon as we are trying to move within the next month and our daughter's first birthday party is in October, but I don't plan to be ready to publish for quite some time anyway, although I would like to have something to show at her party since a lot of family is supposed to be there. *shrug* oh well .. that's why we have laptops lol

Thanks again for the suggestion. I will definitely take a look at it and probably buy it in a few months .. or maybe in a year or two .. whenever I feel I'm ready to publish.

This question does not apply to "writing," but I don't see a section for general-type questions and I am still trying to figure out how this all works. What is that Badge-thing for on the right of the screen?

Hey Poppy

That's for you to post on to your personal website or your myspace or your facebook or your twitter, just to let people there know that you are on here. That's all.

September:

I added a link to that book. Amazon gives you a preview of the first three chapters. Thanks again for the tip! Now everyone can preview it!

September,
Sounds like an interesting idea. What better way to learn something in depth than having to produce results for someone else. Can't put it off that way. Good Luck.

Poppy,
Why don't you start a discussion on questions?
Trudy

Just joined GenealogyWise and found this group. I've been working on writing my family history for awhile now and I'll take any help I can get!

Thanks Anita - I have 2 different Word versions so I'll try the XP.

Julie, XP is an operating system. I think what Anita is really referring to is MS WORD which is common software used for Word Processing. And I agree with Anita, rather than try to get the final presentation software right, use Word to get all the to complete your writing. A Word document be converted into most any other presenation software.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get copies of rare out of print books? I've searched through those used book stores online and they came up empty handed. Here's what I'm looking for:
Reamstown 240
The Heilman Family Genealogy

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hi Caro,
NEHGS (www.newenglandancestors.org) has a huge library of family histories. They are the oldest gen society in the country (since 1864, I think). Anyway, you can search their library online without being a member, and they will print a copy (for a price, of course). I just did a quick search on "Heilman" and it returned 8 records, 3 of which are manuscripts. If you have any trouble accessing the info, just let me know and I'll see what I can do to help.

Well....I just paid the $60.00 to join and constantly got the following message on nearly every bit of information that I needed to search. If that is the way it is, then don't waste your money.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Error occurred while completing this request:
Please report the problem to NEHGS (webmaster@nehgs.org) specifying the page on the web site where this error message was displayed, if you are searching a database please provide search parameters (e.g. name, year, volume etc.), database name and database link.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

Caro, I didn't find the specific book you are looking for, but here is a location that has one of the books for my family online free for the download. I did find something about Heilmans in Pennsylvania. www.archive.org. There are other websites like this out there. I'm trying to remember how I got old an old copy of the 100th anniversary of the town one of my ancestors settles. But not sure where I found that one. Do you know any more about the book, like the author, where it was published.

Hi all,
Caro and Trudy -- I also found the Heilman Family book on www.archive.org, which is free to view and/or download. I also noted the contributor, Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, which is always a place to check. They are also the center for PERSI, and the place to request copies of magazine/journal articles. Makes me almost wish I lived closer!

Becky -- I'm sorry to hear of your troubles accessing the NEHGS website. If you have ancestry in New England, and even beyond, then I can only say it is well worth the price (and you got $15 off the regular cost) once you see what is available. . . they have been publishing the very well-respected "Register" on a quarterly basis since 1864, and it is all available online. They are also beginning to post older issues of TAG (The American Genealogist), and included in your subscription is full access to 3 archives of historical newspapers. I do not work for them, nor am I paid by them. I have been a paying member for the last few years, and consider it well worth the price. They do occasionally have website issues, and are not open/staffed on Sundays, so perhaps your membership needs to be processed in some way to activate your access. Whatever you decide, I'm sure they will refund your membership, or correct the problem.

Have you tried Google Books?

Kathy

Thank you all for your help. I am fixing to try it again and see if it will work this time.

Becky

By the way, after writing the site master the other day...I have not heard one word from them..