Issue 2 February 2016
Why are some family historians reluctant writers?
How to avoid boring people with your family history research, It’s your turn
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Welcome In this issue Page 2 Why are some family historians reluctant writers? Page 4 When is time to stop researching and start writing your family history? Page 6 You don’t need to be descended from William the Conqueror Page 8 Using timelines to tell your family history stories Page 10 Don’t let your family history research end up in a bin Page 12 How to avoid boring people with your family history research Page 14 It’s your turn Page 15 Latest news Issue 2 February 2016
Welcome to the iScribbles online magazine - a magazine for aspiring and inexperienced writers of non-fiction. At iScribbles we cover a wide range of non-fiction genres from life story, memoir, autobiography and family history to nostalgia, scrap-book journalling, food writing, local and social history and travel writing. This edition of the iScribbles on-line magazine is devoted to writing a family history. The seemingly unflagging interest in family history research fuelled not only by the availability of information on the internet but also by TV programmes such as Who Do You Think You Are? has for many family history researchers generated an abundance of information but what do they plan to do with it? I have spoken to many enthusiastic family history researchers and some believe that their family and future generations will be prepared to rummage through files, boxes or computer files to discover more about their ancestry. Thankfully however, there are also some who acknowledge that this is unlikely and realise that they need to present their research it in a way that is accessible and enjoyable. The articles in this month’s edition of the iScribbles include some tips on how you can start to transform your research into stories that people will want to read. Chris Lightfoot !1
Why are some family historians reluctant writers? Chris Lightfoot Many of the genealogists I have met have spent years gathering a vast amount of information about their family history but they have rarely given any thought as to what they will do with it. But I do wonder what use any of this research is if it is just filed away on a computer or stored in boxes in the attic. In years to come somebody may stumble across it but more likely it will be lost and the years of painstaking research will have been wasted. Information stored electronically may not even be accessible in the future.
Bring your family history research to life The knowledge you have gained as a family historian deserves to be shared and you are the best person to do it. Just think how excited you would have been if you had found a book written by one of your ancestors. What an amazing insight that would have given you into the life of someone in your past. A personal story can reveal so much about the life and times of the writer, the highs and lows, the struggles, challenges and adversities – something that no amount of research could ever communicate. Look through all of the certificates, facts, letters, heirlooms, photos, memorabilia, videos, audios etc. you have collected and think how you could start to build your own stories around this wealth of information. As the expert you are the only person who can really bring this research to life.
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Transform your research Writing your family history is simply the next logical step in the research process. By transforming your research into a fascinating story (or collection of short stories) you will create an enduring legacy that many people will be able to enjoy now and in the future.
You can be a writer Don’t be put off if you are not an experienced writer or have never written before. Anyone can learn how to write and with practice you will soon be creating stories which friends and family (and may be an even wider audience) will be able to read and enjoy. I am sure you don’t doubt your ability and competence as a researcher even if you were a complete novice when you started out so why doubt your potential ability as a writer. It is simply another skill which you can and should acquire. If you are new or inexperienced check out our Writing Tips to help you get started.
Your stories are part of our social history Your stories fill in the gaps that the official histories leave out. The lessons you have learned from your ancestors will be a valuable record for future generations and they deserve to be communicated and shared. So don’t just settle for being the family historian – become the official family writer and start to share all of the knowledge you have acquired in a format that can be read and appreciated by as many people as possible.
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When is it time to stop researching and start writing your family history? Chris Lightfoot Most family historians are compulsive researchers which is what makes them the authority on their family’s past. And, the more information they find, the more determined they are to carry on. But I do wonder if or when they will ever feel ready to start sharing the wealth of information and knowledge they have gathered in a way that can be fully appreciated and enjoyed by family and friends or anyone else.
Is there a good time to stop researching? Some family historians would say there is never a good time to stop researching because there is always more to discover or a new piece of information that leads them off in yet another direction. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t start to think about what you are going to do with the piles of documents, photos, certificates, memorabilia, the endless lists of names and dates etc. you have accumulated.
Other people might be interested You may not be bothered about sharing your research or you may be happy just to talk about it to anybody who is prepared to listen, but you shouldn’t underestimate the amount of interest there may be amongst a wider audience. But the only way you will reach this wider audience is to present your research in a way that is easily accessible.
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Writing can be as rewarding as researching Writing gives you the opportunity to organise and interpret all of the information you have uncovered. You can’t just point your family at a load of boxes or a directory of files on a computer and expect them to appreciate the nuances of your family history – they really do need some help and guidance. And so now is as good a time as any to take a break from your research and start to think about how you could write it up.
You don't have to write a full-length book Writing a full-length book can be daunting so why not start to build up your story in manageable bite-sized pieces. Starting small is ideal if you are a new or inexperienced writer because it enables you to build up your story piece by piece while learning the craft of writing. Just like many activities your writing will get better with practice and if you persevere you will soon have a collection of fascinating stories which can be read and enjoyed by anybody.
You can research and write Just because you decide to start writing down the stories that only you can tell, this doesn't mean that your research has to stop completely. Writing your stories is just another part of the process and you should try to approach it with the same determination and enthusiasm you have for your research.
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You don’t need to be descended from William the Conqueror Chris Lightfoot Although the study of genealogy has been around for a long time, it’s popularity has increased significantly over the past few decades. This is not only because of the availability of information on the internet (notably the 1901 census) but also because of TV programmes such as Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley which was shown back in the 1970s and more recently the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?. In the past, the study of genealogy was confined to the nobility and royalty so there is little documented about the lives of ‘ordinary' people other than (more recently) records of births, marriages and deaths. However, because of the vast amount of information genealogists uncover in their quest to discover the heritage of their own families, they are in the unique position of being able to fill in some of the gaps in our social history.
It's not all about searching for famous ancestors For some genealogists seeing how far back they can trace their family history or looking for a line of descent that links them to royalty or nobility or finding an ancestor that is famous or infamous, is what motivates them. However, the desire to be descended from William the Conqueror or being able to claim a lineage back to the Anglo Saxons, the Normans (or whoever) is not what genealogy is all about for most people. Instead it is a desire to learn about their own heritage (no matter now ordinary) in order to feel a connection with the past. It is the stories they tell of how their ancestors lived and how geography, economics and politics influenced their lives that turns their genealogical research into family history.
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Your stories are part of our social history If your research doesn't uncover any famous or notable ancestors this doesn't make the story of your family any less valid or less interesting. Researching and writing your family history gives you the opportunity to explore and write about the lives of people you have a personal connection to in an historical and social context. It is these stories (the stories of ordinary people living real lives) which play such an important part in our social history.
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Using timelines to tell your family history stories Chris Lightfoot If you are keen to start writing the stories behind your family history research but are still at the lists of names, dates and places stage, then a good way to get organised is to create a timeline. Timelines are not only great for organising your research and identifying any missing information but, by adding references to local and world events, they can also help you to see your ancestors' lives in a broader historical context.
Stick to one ancestor If you have done an extensive amount of research, you will probably find it easier to create a timeline for just one ancestor rather than tackling a complete family line or surname. You could also choose to focus on a particular period or time frame rather then the entire life of your chosen ancestor.
Creating your timeline If you like to be creative with pens and pencils than you could draw your timeline on card or paper (wallpaper is good if your timeline is likely to be quite extensive). If you prefer to use a computer, then creating a table in a word processing document or spreadsheet gives you scope for developing and updating a timeline. You could also use free mind mapping tools such as bubbl.us or iMindMap. Also take a look at online applications for creating timelines such as Dipity and timetoast but do your own internet search to find out what else is available.
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Start with the basics Once you have decided which tool you are going to use to create your timeline start by adding the basic facts - dates of births, marriages and deaths, locations, major events and milestones such as education, jobs, divorces, military service, moves abroad, purchase of property and land etc.. Don't just do this for the ancestor you have chosen but also for any other people (for example, children, spouses) who were significant in their lives. Don't worry if there is any information you don't have. Either highlight the bits which need further investigation on your timeline or make a separate list. You can then look beyond the personal life of your ancestor by adding details about what was happening in the world at the time. You may need to do some additional research but by looking beyond the lives of your ancestors you will be able to create a much more interesting and well-rounded story (or series of stories) which may even have an appeal beyond family and friends.
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Don’t let your family history research end up in a bin Chris Lightfoot I have exhibited at a number of family history fairs and have met many family history researchers from different parts of the UK. The majority of exhibitors at these fairs are family history societies and other specialist research organisations but there are also exhibitors who promote and sell a variety of genealogy supplies from books, postcards and maps to mobile scanners, subscriptions to genealogy websites and certificate and family history binders. These all admirably support people in their research but as the founder and representative of iScribbles I often find that I am the only exhibitor asking these dedicated and passionate researchers what they plan to do with all of their research once they have finished.
Who will want to rummage through countless boxes and files? I am always a bit perplexed (even saddened) that for many people gathering copious amounts of documents, certificates, photos etc. and doing the rigorous and time-consuming research required to build up their lists of dates, names, places and events is seen as an end in itself (job done - let family, friends and future generations make what they will of it). Well, I don’t think anybody will want to sift through endless boxes or files of documents which they can’t even begin to interpret or relate to. In fact I think they will be more inclined to head for the rubbish bin (even if reluctantly).
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It's the stories that count Family trees and timelines provide a framework for your research but it is the stories behind the names, dates, places etc. that bring a family history to life. If you don't tell these stories who will? They deserve to be remembered and as a family historian you are the ideal person to write them.
Family historians are also social historians When I encourage people to take a short break from research and get scribbling they often tell me that they do not have any stories to tell. Not only do I find this hard to believe but I also think they are failing to see their ancestors as part of the bigger picture. Nobody's ancestors lived in isolation and so with some additional background research it is possible to create unique stories that combine historical details (for example, social, economic, political, environmental) with anecdotes and snippets about family members and the roles they played in their community. When you use social history to fill in the gaps in your family history you can create stories with a much broader appeal. In her book Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History, Katherine Scott Sturdevant describes social history as "the study of ordinary people's everyday lives. It is history from the bottom up instead of top down, not focusing exclusively or primarily on the elite and famous". There is an interest in stories about the lives and times of ordinary people and family historians are the ideal people to write them.
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How to avoid boring people with your family history research Chris Lightfoot Why is it that some family historians get so immersed in their research they think that everybody else will be equally fascinated by dry and dull lists of dates, names, places and sources?
How do you get other people interested in your research? If you want to engage a potential audience you have got to reach out to them with the stories you will almost certainly have uncovered during your research. It is these stories that will help bring your family history research to life and ensure that your years of painstaking and thorough work is not eventually confined to a dusty attic or worse still a dustbin.
Use stories to bring your family history research to life There are many ways in which you can start to build and create stories around your research. For example, a quick look back through your research (or family tree) will probably reveal any number of stories that are just crying out to be told. Look for any notes you made at the time - if you haven’t got any, go back and check your original sources to see what interesting bits of information you can dig out. You could also create stories based around a particular theme, place or branch of your family tree or you could use photos, memorabilia, newspaper articles, letters, documents, diaries etc. as the inspiration or starting points for stories.
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The broader historical picture Another way of injecting some interest and colour into your stories is to look beyond the lives of your own family and consider the broader historical context of the times in which they lived. The lives of your family are unique but equally there will be many experiences they shared with their contemporaries. What do you know, for example, about the social and economic conditions of the time and what sort of affect might these have had on your family and other peoples’ lives? Were there any political events which could have affected or influenced their lives? Where did they live and what sort of house did they live in, what did they wear, what did they eat and drink, where did they go to school, what sort of work did they do, did they live in the town or country and how did this affect their everyday lives, how did they entertain themselves, what means of transport did they use, how did their lives differ from yours today? As a family historian it is important to use your story to paint a broader picture of what life was like for the communities in which your family lived and how outside events might have impacted on their lives. However, you are not writing a history essay so just stick to the bits which are relevant and which help you to create compelling stories where your family feature as the main characters. Delving into the social history as well as the history of your family will take your research to a whole new level way beyond names, dates and places. It will add colour and depth to your family history stories and help to draw in family members, friends or an even wider audience who might otherwise have shown little or no interest. If you want to learn more about how to turn the history of your family into something people will actually want to read, take a look Writing a Non-Boring Family History by Hazel Edwards.
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Your letters If you have got anything you would like to say about the articles in the magazine or if you would like to share some of your own writing experiences, please email the editor at: office@i-scribbles.com We welcome your comments and opinions so long as they are polite and constructive.
Would you like to write for our magazine? We are happy to consider anything from writing, editing and publishing tips to bite-sized stories about your own life and experiences, stories uncovered while doing research into your family or local history, nostalgic memories, travel stories etc, etc.. Articles or stories submitted should be between 400 and 800 words and must be original. You can include pictures/photos but only if you own the copyright. We cannot publish images for which you do not own the copyright. When you submit an article or story we will review it and if it is accepted, it will be published together with your byline in the next available edition of the magazine. We can only use articles or stories where you agree that you are the creator and that you are happy to give us the rights to publish your content in our magazine. If you have a finished article or story or you have an idea for an article, please contact the editor at: office@i-scribbles.com.
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Dorset Family History Society
 Family History Day On Saturday the 12th March 2016 the Dorset Family History Society is running a Family History Day at Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole BH17 7EP. Admission and parking in the school grounds are completely free of charge. Doors open at 10.00am and close at 4.00pm. There will be a number of exhibitors including family history societies from around the country, organisations involved with genealogy, a variety of commercial firms selling all sorts of things to help you with your research and iScribbles. So, if you are planning to come, then do make your way to the iScribbles stand. Not only would we love to hear about your research but we would also welcome the opportunity to encourage you to start thinking about how you can turn your research into stories that family, friends and future generations will want to read.
A final message from the editor We do hope the articles in this edition of the iScribbles online magazine have inspired you to get scribbling. If you know of anybody else that might be interested, then please do forward them the link. There aren’t many magazines or websites devoted exclusively to the craft of writing non-fiction and so it would be great if this magazine could develop and grow into something that non-fiction writers can turn to for help, advice, encouragement and entertainment.
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