mNo edit summary |
(added link to blog as requested by management) |
||
| (5 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
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? == | ||
| Line 12: | Line 13: | ||
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? == | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
=== [ | === [[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. | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
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 === | ||
| Line 90: | Line 88: | ||
=== [ | === [[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 === | === Electronic Recordings === | ||
| Line 271: | Line 268: | ||
=== 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 === | ||
| Line 290: | Line 287: | ||
*[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]] | ||
edits