The top three ways to get your family history started – No. 1: Your most interesting ancestor

To get your family history started, write something and show it to other family members

. Their reaction will keep the effort going. What are good ways to get your family history started? - Write about your most interesting ancestor - Do a family tree - Write a timeline chronology of a family This article discusses, Write about your most interesting ancestor. My next articles cover, Do a family tree and Write a timeline chronology. Assumptions: In these articles, I assume that the final goal is an online ancestral family history using a blog platform. When starting, recognize that it is your older relatives who are more likely to be interested and therefore more likely to contribute whether you yourself are younger or one of the older family members. Older family members have old stories, memories and family hand-me-downs to share. Remember that some seniors will be hesitant about computers, using the Internet and technology in general. Sometimes sharing the work load between the younger and older generation is a good idea. Your Most Interesting Ancestor To start, pick one person to write about. It might be a father, a mother, a grandparent or a favorite aunt or uncle. Be sure to write a biography about a person that you feel strongly about it will help make your writing appealing. In my personal family history, it was the stories about ancestors that were the most read and appreciated. Stories about what an ancestor said or did in a certain situation help define that person for descendants who may never have known that person. Stories show the humanity of the person. Also, your personal opinions and the opinions of others about the person help make a biographical sketch interesting. Writing about an ancestor who has passed on has as advantage there is less chance that someones feelings might be hurt! One good starting point is to make a list of why the ancestor you select is interesting your list will help the organization of your writing. Another way to help the organization of your writing is to do a one-page chronology of the significant events by date in the persons life. Other helpful questions that you can ask yourself include: - What is unique about this person? - How did this person influence others? - By whom or what was this person influenced? - What formed this person? The more you can get others to comment and even ask questions, the better. Often, non-family people have interesting input. A few other helpful writing check points: - First, describe the person and then give examples to prove your description - Then try turning it around by presenting the examples first and then write your description - Use adjectives what adjectives best describe the person? - Write fast when you are inspired and go back and fix it later - What challenges did this person face and overcome? - Try describing the persons appearance, habits, quirks, or how he or she talked - When struggling with wording, read it aloud this often helps Copyright January, 2009 by Dale Garden

The top three ways to get your family history started No. 1: Your most interesting ancestor

By: Dale Garden

POST COMMENT

I Need Advice On An Ex Boyfriend Who My Family No Longer Like How To Help Boyfriend Cope With Death Of A Family Member Great Wholesome Holiday Meals For The Family Family Fun in Brisbane Australia Single Family Luxury Home Prices Are Finally Picking Up User-friendly Tips To Redesign The Family Room The Master Bedroom - Art Gallery For Family Heirlooms Tips for Travelling With Family Use Quality Kitchenware To Give Your Family Better Quality Time Dementia, Hand Guns And Your Family - A Recipe For Disaster Orlando vacation rental are best for dream family vacations Aging Parents, Is Your Family Ready To Help Kennedy Family Members Greet Visitors at JFK Library