- You can learn a lot about your ancestors from historical documents – probably more than you think
- You can tell a more accurate story
- You can learn about yourself
- Transgenerational Inheritance - here - "Could our DNA be carrying memories passed down in genes from the experiences of our ancestors?”
- “Children who grow up knowing their family’s stories are more resilient and suffer from less anxiety and depression.” - here and here
- Joy Denison: “When I could see my parents as children of their parents my entire perspective changed.”
This session contains a fascinating case study which is not included in this outline. Check back for a date and time when this session will be presented again.
Sources
- Personal/Physical
- Family photos
- Family stories
- Personal histories
- Family papers
- Global genealogy
- ancestry.com
- familysearch.org
- findmypast.com
- myheritage.com
- Remote/Physical
- State vital records
- State archives
- Roots Trek
- Online newspapers
- Online images
- Historical info
- Land records
- Maps
- Military records
- specific genealogy-related sites
- Various databases
Tips for Writing and Sharing
- Gather all your documentation in one place
- Create and analyze a timeline
- Research the historical backdrop
- Research the geography
- Research the culture
- Be aware of presentism - the tendency to interpret past event in terms of modern values and concepts
- Acknowledge your bias
- Make sure it's your story to tell
- Are they still alive?
- Would a living person be hurt by this story?
- Prioritize accuracy
- Cite your sources
- Images
- Endnotes
- Links
- Don't pretend to "know" what you don't know
- Evidence suggests that...
- It appears that...
- Perhaps
- Most likely
- We can rule out...
- Are you writing historical fiction?
- Putting words in their mouths
- Assigning motivation
- Making assumptions
- Avoid the temptation to fill in the blanks
- Sometimes ask all the possible questions - and leave it at that
- When you find additional information don't be afraid to change the story
Links:
PRINT
- Story focused
- Handwritten
- Word processing software
- Self-publish, hardback or paperback
- Image focused
- ubuildabook.com
- mixbook.com
- shutterfly.com
- DIY scrapbook
Limitations
- Distribution
- Cost
- Unchangeable
AUDIO
- There's a voice recorder app for that!
Limitations
- Incomplete/inaccurate content if relying on memory
- Lack of source citations
- Editing can be technically complicated
- Distribution
ONLINE
- Create/contribute to a family genealogy website
- familysearch.org - Family Tree
- Add a life sketch
- Create a blog
- Blogger (Google)
- WordPress
- Many more
Limitations
- Perceived learning curve (It's not as hard as you might think)
ADVANTAGES OF A BLOG
- Low cost or FREE
- You maintain control
- Image friendly
- Hot link to sources and related content
- Manageable amount of content at a time
- Changeable/Updateable
- World-wide or limited distribution
- Labels searchable of Google
- Creates networking opportunities
- Editable prior to publishing
- Printable
Beginner’s Guide to Creating and Publishing Your First WordPress Blog Post: Part I
How to Start a Blog on Blogger
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