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Edgewood New Mexico FamilySearch Center/Class Notes (view source)
Revision as of 17:10, 22 March 2023
, 22 March 2023Minor editing of March 23, 2023 class notes.
m (Correct Genealogy to Genealogical in Note for March 22,2023 class.) |
m (Minor editing of March 23, 2023 class notes.) |
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* Don't sit down in front of a blank screen or pad of paper expecting to write your entire history. Start like eating an elephant: one chunk at a time. | * Don't sit down in front of a blank screen or pad of paper expecting to write your entire history. Start like eating an elephant: one chunk at a time. | ||
* Don't worry about organization. That will come later. Just keep things in chronological order at first to facilitate finding things. | * Don't worry about organization. That will come later. Just keep things in chronological order at first to facilitate finding things. | ||
* Write about turning points in your life first which will help you remember more | * Write about turning points in your life first which will help you remember more things. A turning point can be either a sad or happy thing, like a death or a marriage. | ||
* Make it interesting. This shouldn't be a recitation of genealogical events or a resume. Include compelling details, but be concise. Don't bore with mundane details. Don't be afraid to let your feelings show. Put humor into it. | * Make it interesting. This shouldn't be a recitation of genealogical events or a resume. Include compelling details, but be concise. Don't bore with mundane details. Don't be afraid to let your feelings show. Put humor into it. | ||
* How should you end your story? If writing your story hasn't caused you to expire, you may be tempted to continue writing. Just end it. You can always put out a second edition or a sequel. | * How should you end your story? If writing your story hasn't caused you to expire, you may be tempted to continue writing. Just end it. You can always put out a second edition or a sequel. | ||
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The next part of the class focused on writing your family history. The previous tips will be helpful, but there is more to consider. | The next part of the class focused on writing your family history. The previous tips will be helpful, but there is more to consider. | ||
* Why write your family history? Children need to know more about their ancestors than just their unsmiling | * Why write your family history? Children need to know more about their ancestors than just their unsmiling faces and stiff poses. They need to know their ancestors as warm, real people. | ||
* How do you write it? First, gather up all the stories, documents, and photographs that you can. This is critical. Start with one person, one incident, and go from there. | * How do you write it? First, gather up all the stories, documents, and photographs that you can. This is critical. Start with one person, one incident, and go from there. | ||
* Decide on the scope. Should you write about one or multiple generations? A multi-generational book can turn into more of a genealogical reference. You want to make sure you are writing more human stories than just a collection of facts. | * Decide on the scope. Should you write about one or multiple generations? A multi-generational book can turn into more of a genealogical reference. You want to make sure you are writing more human stories than just a collection of facts. | ||
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* Write an outline to organize your story. A timeline is a good thing to base your outline on. | * Write an outline to organize your story. A timeline is a good thing to base your outline on. | ||
* Sift out important points. | * Sift out important points. | ||
* Document your sources. Use ''RecordSeek'' (recordseek.com) to facilitate this. | * Document your sources. Use ''RecordSeek'' ([https://recordseek.com/ recordseek.com]) to facilitate this. | ||
* Try to walk in your ancestors' shoes. | * Try to walk in your ancestors' shoes. | ||
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How should you distribute your book? | How should you distribute your book? | ||
* Digital: memory cards, flash drives, | * Digital: memory cards, flash drives, CDs, DVDs, Google Drive, website | ||
* Desktop Publishing: Print copies yourself on acid-free paper and take to a copy shop for binding. If the copy shop makes the copies, make sure they use acid-free paper. | * Desktop Publishing: Print copies yourself on acid-free bond paper and take to a copy shop for binding. If the copy shop makes the copies, make sure they use acid-free paper. | ||
* Self-Publishing: Arrange with others to print, copy photos, and bind the book. | * Self-Publishing: Arrange with others to print, copy photos, and bind the book. | ||
* Vanity Press: They will happily do everything for you and charge you for it. | * Vanity Press: They will happily do everything for you and charge you for it all. | ||
* Royalty Publishing: If you anticipate a best-seller, a publisher will pay all of your expenses and will pay YOU royalties based on book sales. | * Royalty Publishing: If you anticipate a best-seller, a publisher will pay all of your expenses and will pay YOU royalties based on book sales. | ||