subject: The Family Tree Scrapbook: A Novel Way To Preserve Your Family History [print this page] The Family Tree Scrapbook: A Novel Way To Preserve Your Family History
If you already do scrapbooking, then you know how much fun it can be. But did you know that it's also a great way to present your family tree?
Scrapbooking offers a unique presentation because of all the personal touches that you can add to it. A quick trip to the craft store provides loads of fun paper, decals and more colorful pens than you can possibly imagine. Look for decorative items that bring out the personality, hobbies or interests of your family members. Picking colors that seem to really fit a person will help to make the pages much more vivid and fun to look at. Be sure to select a scrapbook that can be expanded because your family tree will grow over the decades and you will want to be able to add all the new generations to it.
Children and grandchildren really enjoy all the cutting and pasting so be sure to include them. It's a great way for them to really get involved in genealogy because they see the family history come to life before their eyes.
When choosing what you want to put in your scrapbook, it is always best to use copies of important documents. This will allow you to cut them without worry. Multiple copies should be made just in case your younger assistants make mistakes and need to start over.
One of the great things about a family tree scrapbook is its portability. Whether you want to take it to your next family reunion, or keep it on your coffee table it offers a convenient and interesting way to present your family's history. Family tree scrapbooks make excellent gifts too.
A low cost alternative to expensive craft store supplies is to use your computer to create colorful and interesting pages, then print the pages out and add to your scrapbook. If you choose this path, you can either upload your photos or paste them onto pages that have been printed off. Don't worry if you aren't a computer expert. There are software programs that can assist you in designing beautiful scrapbook pages. These programs offer templates, photo editing and graphics that will inspire you. LumaPix FotoFusion Scrapbook Essentials is just one of the great programs out there.
Of course, if you are very comfortable with photo editing (cropping and enhancing) and graphics manipulation you do not need to purchase a program just for scrapbooking. You likely have programs that you can already use Paint Shop Pro for example will work fine. You may even already have an extensive collection of clip art that can be used as the decorative elements on your pages.
If you need some inspiration check out the website called, "Scrapbook, Scrapbook". They provide some very nice examples of family tree scrapbooks sent in to them from folks around the world. I really liked the two page family tree, but there are many other great pages there that you may like which you can download for your personal use.
Keep in mind that you will need to ask yourself some other questions before you actually begin compiling your scrapbook. How far back will you go? Will each page be dedicated to an individual, a couple or a family? Will you include just one side of your family, or both? How will you fill out the pages on relatives that you don't know a lot about?
Just a bit of careful planning will go a long way to making your family tree scrapbook a success!
