Writing a life story is easier than you think.
Writing a memoir or autobiography is a daunting, overwhelming task, one that requires hours/days/years of uninterrupted time. Not to mention a degree in English. And a trust fund so you can quit your day job.
Wait, but...NO!.
It doesn't have to be that way. Writing a story can be really quite simple, like washing your hair. Three simple steps: Lather, rinse, repeat.
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Here are our top five reasons to visit the RootsTech 2017 Conference this year, even if (especially if) you are not that "into" genealogy. Also, a chance to win a free RootsTech 2017 4-day pass!
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A tribute book is a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday.
When my wonderful mother-in-law Joyce Taylor turned 90 this summer, Tom's sister and her daughters had a great idea for celebrating her birthday -- a neighborhood parade!
We also created a tribute book to celebrate her life. Here's how we did it.
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If you haven't been, or don't know about the RootsTech conference, let me introduce you.
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A tribute book about an extraordinary, ordinary man.
Some projects grab us emotionally more than others. This was one of those projects that left me weeping over my keyboard. And that inspired me to try to be a better human.
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Family stories have a unique power in bringing--and keeping--families together.
Sometimes a project will come along that affects us deeply, that reminds us yet again why we do this. Working closely with families to preserve their stories gives us a window into family dynamics--sometimes poignant, often hilarious. Each family has their own special dance to which only they know the steps.
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Like an apricot tree, your family history stuff has to be pruned to be enjoyed.
If you don't "prune" your family history assets, the sheer volume of them will obscure the "fruit" that is worth keeping. Without care and pruning, you could lose the whole "tree."
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We had a great time talking to host Chris Redgrave about our business for a "Speaking on Business" radio spot. The spot will air on April 16 on KSL 102.7 FM or 1160 AM at 7:22 am, 11:49 am and 5:22 pm. Check it out!
You can also hear it at the Speaking on Business website or KSL.com.
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How to choose which photos to keep? "William Morris" your photo collection.
"Have in your houses nothing you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." I was recently explaining to a client how to pare down the hundreds of potential photos she had set aside to put in her family history book. It struck me then that Morris' advice could also apply when choosing what photos and keepsakes.
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Armstrong graveyard in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania
A couple of weeks ago, I stood with my daughter, son-in-law, and week-old baby grandson on a windy, lonely hill in rural Pennsylvania. We could have gone to an art museum, or out to dinner, or stayed home with snacks and Netflix. But instead we drove two hours outside the city, newborn in tow, to look at the grave of a dead person we’ve never met.
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We are so excited to be back at RootsTech live this year! Come by and see the Pictures and Stories booth (#1609) and see some of the many new books we’ve helped our clients create. Alison is giving two in-person classes: The Seven Deadly Sins of Building a Digital Archive, and Making a Genealogy Story Book. Hope to see you there!