Less than a month after I lost my mother (see "Dealing with Death in the family"), my close friend, Suzanne lost two relatives fairly close together. She wrote the following:
"One Day It Will Be Too Late: Write Your Family History Now
Two deaths in the family – one on each side of the tree. Too many stories lost because we don’t pause to sit and say to our elders, 'Tell me about…'
Write it down now."
Believe it or not, your Evansville Genealogy Examiner has researched the "How-To" aspect of writing a family history until her eyes are crossing. She finally decided this subject needs at least two parts.
There are multiple ways to make your family history into a keepsake -- everything from a family tree of 4-5 generations to a full fledge book. The main idea is to decide what you want to do and to start now!
In order to decide "How-To" write your family history, please check the following links:
- 10 Steps to Writing Your Family History by Kimberly Powell on About.com Genealogy
- 16 Ways to Leave a Legacy by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
If you decide to make your family history into a book, see The Armchair Genealogist: Writing Your Family History and Printing Your Family History Book . The first concentrate on step-by-step instructions including deciding on cost. "Printing ..." tells you how to make it into a Print-On-Demand manuscript.
Another way to learn about genealogy and how to record it is to join a Genealogical Society. The Indiana Genealogical Society is based in Fort Wayne, Ind. But, it covers the entire state. It's fee is $30 for a single person or $35 for a joint membership (two people living at the same address). The Tri-State Genealogical Society of Evansville, Indiana meets at Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana. It covers Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky and it only costs $12 per year.
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