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Tips for writing your family story

Do you have a family story that you've always wanted to write down? Or maybe you've started writing it, but you're not sure how to proceed. In this blog post, we will give you some tips on how to write your own family story. We will also discuss the importance of preserving your family's history for future generations. So sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and let's get started!

Steps to preparing for your family story

1. Start by gathering information about your family. This can include old photos, letters, journals, and anything else that may be relevant.

2. Once you have gathered all of the information, start by writing down the basic facts about your family. This includes names, dates, and places.

3. Next, write about the unique aspects of your family story. What makes it special?

4. Share your family story with others. Preserving your history is important, but it's also important to share it with those who are interested. After all, your family story is part of the larger human story.

I attended a workshop on writing your family story. This session focused on writing for your grandchildren. Your story doesn’t need to be extravagant.  You could write a one to two-page summary of the events if that is what it takes to tell the story.  I was amazed at how involved I became in writing my short story titled, Jolly Boats on the River.  This story was about how my grandfather because Scottish Jolly Boat Champion.  

Once you have written your family story, you may want to consider publishing it to share with the generations to follow. I proceeded to expand my story and write a children's book about the event and the lessons experienced from the event.

Self-publishing is a great option if you want to write your family story for yourself or for close friends and relatives. If you choose to self-publish, there are a few things you will need to do. First, you will need to create a book cover and interior design. You can create these yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Once your book is designed, you will need to print it and bind it. This can be done at a local print shop or online. Finally, you will need to market your book. This can be done through social media, bookstores, or other channels.

Conclusion

Writing your family story can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only will you be preserving your family's history, but you will also be sharing it with others. The tips and tricks we have provided should help get you started on the path to writing your own family story.

To explore more insights on preserving family history, check out these related blogs.

If you are interested in my book, Jolly Boats on the River, visit amazon.ca

 

Carol Walsh

Article by Carol Walsh

Carol Walsh is the CEO of Creative Roots, a professional genealogy company. She has a passion for preserving family history and storytelling. Carol's research methodology centers around fact-finding and publishing in a format that readers can use to preserve the stories. Her ultimate goal is to help families connect with their past and each other.