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Writing Your Family History...
Just for Fun or for Publication
By Mary Emma Allen
Far from being a dull research project, digging into your
family's past and writing about the people and events you discover can be
fascinating. A family history also helps give a sense of belonging to
children and grandchildren, a feeling of continuity between the
generations.
My research and writing began when my dad, at 92, asked me to
take on the project of writing his memoirs. He'd jotted down some
recollections in a notebook which gave me my start.
I'd heard some of these stories of his younger life, but had
forgotten many and never knew about others. I soon learned he had nearly
a century of living to relate, and I discovered I was learning the
history of a remarkable man.
Getting to Know Family
When you begin to search your family history, you'll get to know
your parents and grandparents in a different way. You'll see them,
through their recollectionsand the memories of others, as they were while
growing up, struggling to provide a living for a young family, and
contributing to their community to make a better life for others.
How To Begin
How do you begin your family history?
*Talk with your parents and record their memories on paper, on
audio cassette or video tape.
*Visit other relatives and get their recollections about life in
days ago.
*Take photos of living relatives, of old homes where they lived,
of the cemeteries where ancestors are buried. Search old photo albums
for snapshots of other relatives.
*Don't rely solely on your memory as your parents and relatives
relate their stories of younger years. Write down or put on tape what
they tell you.
*Go through old letters you might have saved from your parents
and relatives as well as those you've written them. These will give you
insight into common everyday events that most everyone has forgotten.
*Go to the cemeteries where your ancestors are buried and jot
down the dates and names for your family tree.
Publishing a History
You may want to collect this history solely as a family record
for yourself and your children. Or you might desire to have it printed in
booklet form for family and any others who are interested in what your
family has done.
Nowadays, with desktop publishing programs, you even can publish
the family history yourself, without having to take it to a printer.
Keep Memories Alive
Family histories are fascinating. Don't let yours be forgotten
because someone neglected to write down the tales of yesteryear and
record the family tree.
If you don't do this now, someday you'll say, "I wish I'd
written all that information down for my children and future
generations."
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen is a journalist, columnist, children's writer,
book author, and newsletter editor. She is a frequent guest writer
for Seeds of Knowledge. Be sure to visit her at her site
to get to know her better!
E-mail Mary Emma at me.allen@juno.com or
Stop by her website.
(c)Copyright Mary Emma Allen
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