Family History Research – HELP!

Some of us start to research our Family History and already have a head start thanks to a family member who may have written a comprehensive Personal History and has included lots of useful information. However, its more likely that we don’t have this type of information at our disposal and we are, therefore, at a loss. Where do we start? Which websites offer the best information? The Genealogy side to Family History is as important as the stories of our ancestors. It helps set the scene and provides a background to the stories you may have heard. The BBC has a fantastic web site that will help you get started exploring your Family History:

BBC Family History

This web site covers every aspect of the Family History spectrum, from tracing your ancestry to hearing stories and sharing photos.

Writing a Biography – Interviewing a Family Member

If you are writing the Biography of a family member or a friend it can be hard to know where and when to start. If that person is elderly it can be quite daunting for them. With so many years of memories to recall, how do you know the approach that will elicit the free flow of those memories and make the experience a pleasure for both the interviewer and the interviewees.

I came across this helpful article by Ralph Bishop of ‘Your Family Legacy’,  which might help answer some of those questions:

http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucbishop3a.htm

Please feel free to share your helpful hints for writing the Biography of a loved one too!

Story Activity for the Holidays!

At this time of the year our thoughts turn to Family Gatherings. Whether we are planning for Thanksgiving or another Holiday it’s a time of getting together with those we love and sharing a meal and the foods we love. This is a great opportunity to share stories with each other. Or to pass along thanks to the people we hold dear in our hearts.  With this in mind I would like to share a link I found with you. It’s perfect for this time of year and will cost you nothing except a little thinking time:

http://fun.familyeducation.com/thanksgiving/storytelling/34973.html

The idea given in this link is so simple yet very powerful in showing love and appreciation.

Enjoy!

New Autobiographies

Here are a few new Autobiographies just in the bookstores that are definitely worth checking out:

• American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood (Marc Eliot, Author)
• Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box (Madeleine Albright)
• Going Rogue: An American Life (Sarah Palin) Out Nov 17th 2009

The first two titles on the list have had fantastic reviews and the buzz is looking good for the third title. Happy reading! If you have already read one of these Autobiographies and would like to share your thoughts please feel free to comment.

October is Family History Month

Since October is Family History Month, here is a wonderful link to an article with 10 ways to celebrate and commemorate your past and your family:

FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

Please take time to try at least one or two of the ten. These are fantastic ways to celebrate your past and present!