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A personal history is one way of leaving a legacy for descendants to treasure for generations. It is important to retain accuracy of information when creating your personal history. If you leave it to someone else to create it, he or she can only rely on their memories of you and secondhand stories that may not accurately reflect your life. | A personal history is one way of leaving a legacy for descendants to treasure for generations. It is important to retain accuracy of information when creating your personal history. If you leave it to someone else to create it, he or she can only rely on their memories of you and secondhand stories that may not accurately reflect your life. | ||
If you feel overwhelmed about where to begin, go to [https://jrnl.com/ jrnl.com] (Sign up; it’s free!) On the site, there is a section titled “All About Me.” This is a great starting point, because not only does it ask questions to trigger memories, it also allows you to document your answers right there within the form. The questions are categorized to keep details organized. | If you feel overwhelmed about where to begin, go to [https://jrnl.com/ jrnl.com] (Sign up; it’s free!) On the site, there is a section titled “All About Me.” This is a great starting point, because not only does it ask questions to trigger memories, it also allows you to document your answers right there within the form. The questions are categorized to keep details organized.<br> | ||
Also, see this FamilySearch blog article about this subject, [https://media.familysearch.org/new-years-resolution-write-your-life-story-52stories/ New Year's Resolution: Write Your Life Story #52Stories]. | |||
== Why Create a Personal History? == | == Why Create a Personal History? == | ||
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You could have a great effect on those who follow you. Your example, trials, and triumphs can strengthen and motivate others. A famous, biblical example is Job of the Old Testament, who suffered many trials. “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!” he mourned (Job 19:23-4 KJV). His words were written, and so his triumph over tragedy and his faith have remained an example of devotion to people of the world for thousands of years. | You could have a great effect on those who follow you. Your example, trials, and triumphs can strengthen and motivate others. A famous, biblical example is Job of the Old Testament, who suffered many trials. “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!” he mourned (Job 19:23-4 KJV). His words were written, and so his triumph over tragedy and his faith have remained an example of devotion to people of the world for thousands of years. | ||
Writing your history can also provide you with an opportunity to evaluate your life. It may help to clarify your direction in life. Writing about your past, even if it was not idyllic, can help you cope with feelings and create an opportunity to find understanding and forgiveness. See also [ | Writing your history can also provide you with an opportunity to evaluate your life. It may help to clarify your direction in life. Writing about your past, even if it was not idyllic, can help you cope with feelings and create an opportunity to find understanding and forgiveness. See also [https://www.byutv.org/player/172a35b3-3e43-4f9c-b90e-79e593d26360/ancestors-writing-a-family-history?listid=4fe0fee5-0d3c-4a29-b725-e4948627f472&listindex=0&q=writing%20a%20family%20history 2: Writing a Family History” in the FamilySearch Learning Center]. Many of the same reasons also apply. | ||
== When Should I Create My Personal History? == | == When Should I Create My Personal History? == | ||
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=== Written Biographies === | |||
A written biography is a great way to record personal histories for those who enjoy writing. They can include any of the following: | A written biography is a great way to record personal histories for those who enjoy writing. They can include any of the following: | ||
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*Copies of family records, such as your birth and marriage certificates, school records, diplomas, religious certificates, awards, and other records of interest. | *Copies of family records, such as your birth and marriage certificates, school records, diplomas, religious certificates, awards, and other records of interest. | ||
What you decide to include is up to you, and any physical documents or images can help round out your words. | What you decide to include is up to you, and any physical documents or images can help round out your words. | ||
=== | === [[Creating a Personal Journal|Journals]] === | ||
Journals are excellent to preserve your history. Where a personal history tends to be broader in scope and generally covers a greater period of time, a journal can preserve the day-to-day or week-to-week events of your life. A journal provides a more intimates and detailed account of your daily experiences. | Journals are excellent to preserve your history. Where a personal history tends to be broader in scope and generally covers a greater period of time, a journal can preserve the day-to-day or week-to-week events of your life. A journal provides a more intimates and detailed account of your daily experiences. | ||
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You may also choose to include drawings or photographs within the journal, which can add interesting dimension. | You may also choose to include drawings or photographs within the journal, which can add interesting dimension. | ||
Journals are not only a good way for those after you to see into your personal, but also a medium for you to reflect on during your life to see how you’ve grown. | Journals are not only a good way for those after you to see into your personal, but also a medium for you to reflect on during your life to see how you’ve grown. | ||
=== Narratives === | |||
Narratives are another form of personal history. This particular kind of narrative documents memorable events and are usually brief. | Narratives are another form of personal history. This particular kind of narrative documents memorable events and are usually brief. | ||
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Appendix A of this lesson gives a list of subjects for personal narratives. You do not need to limit yourself to these topics, though. They may, however, remind you of other events that you would like to write about. | Appendix A of this lesson gives a list of subjects for personal narratives. You do not need to limit yourself to these topics, though. They may, however, remind you of other events that you would like to write about. | ||
=== Records of Milestones === | |||
Creating a record of milestones is similar to keeping a journal, except it tends to be added to less frequently. | Creating a record of milestones is similar to keeping a journal, except it tends to be added to less frequently. | ||
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=== Scrapbooking === | |||
This is also a popular form to preserve memories and can be a great alternative or addition to a written personal history. Scrapbooks focus on documenting special events using photographs and other memorabilia. | This is also a popular form to preserve memories and can be a great alternative or addition to a written personal history. Scrapbooks focus on documenting special events using photographs and other memorabilia. | ||
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=== | === [[Creating Oral Histories|Oral Histories]] === | ||
An oral history preserves the voice of someone. It is a great alternative for those who do not feel that they have the skills or desire to write. Those who struggle with writing may find it easier to sit down and talk about their lives. For many people, having someone record someone from their lives is a fun and deeply touching experience. | |||
=== Electronic Recordings === | |||
With the development of electronic devices, like video equipment and tape recorders, recording history is easier than ever. Using this equipment to record your history, you can include much more than is typically found in a written history. | With the development of electronic devices, like video equipment and tape recorders, recording history is easier than ever. Using this equipment to record your history, you can include much more than is typically found in a written history. | ||
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=== Online Photo Books === | |||
With the availability of the Internet, it is possible to create a fine quality [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/A_Guide_to_Printing_Your_Family_History history book online] and have it delivered to your door. You can add at many photographs and as much text as you would like. The company then prints out as many books as you want and ships them to you. These can then be distributed to friends and family members. | With the availability of the Internet, it is possible to create a fine quality [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/A_Guide_to_Printing_Your_Family_History history book online] and have it delivered to your door. You can add at many photographs and as much text as you would like. The company then prints out as many books as you want and ships them to you. These can then be distributed to friends and family members. | ||
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=== Websites === | === Websites === | ||
*See the tutorial at the FamilySearch Learning Center, [https:// | *See the tutorial at the FamilySearch Learning Center, [https://www.byutv.org/player/4bdb8e64-279d-45b8-9dfa-3ed34382c764/ancestors-leaving-a-legacy?listid=49dfed4d-d19d-4bd7-8d61-05acd9fad75b&listindex=9 Ancestors Season 1: Leaving a Legacy]. | ||
=== Books === | === Books === | ||
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*[http://genwriters.com/ GenWriters.com] – Help on writing personal histories. | *[http://genwriters.com/ GenWriters.com] – Help on writing personal histories. | ||
==See also== | |||
[[What to do with the genealogy and family history I collected]] | |||
[[Category:Personal_History]] [[Category:New_to_Genealogy]] | [[Category:Personal_History]] [[Category:New_to_Genealogy]] | ||
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