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Vacation Stories

Summer is traditionally vacation time and so my thoughts are on getting away with my family. I thought that I would make a post about the adventures that can happen on vacations. I think that it would be great to include some of these in your family histories. Often when we talk about our vacations we mention the fun and normal parts of the vacation. But I think that the most interesting parts are when there are problems that we face and overcome.  I can think of the time when our family went camping at Bear Lake (a place that we love to go every year). We enjoy the beauty of the lake and playing on the great beaches. But the story that I think is the most interesting (and the one that my kids love to repeat) is the time when a neighbor told us of a different way to get there and we got lost. I was driving and everyone else was asleep in the van when I missed the sign that told me when to turn. I kept going, not knowing that I had missed the turn. It took us twice as long to get there because we ended up going all the way around the lake. It was quite an adventure.

The point of this story is to include problems, challenges and hardships in your histories. You will be glad that you included the real adventures in your family’s lives.

Chris Stevenson cs@sgenealogy.com

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Stories Add Wonderful Flavor to Your Book

Tell a story; don’t just get stuck in the dry facts. Anyone who reads your personal or family history will likely be interested in the facts, but what they’ll enjoy most and remember are the everyday details – favorite stories and anecdotes, embarrassing moments and family traditions. Sometimes it can add interest to include varying accounts of the same event from different perspectives. Personal stories offer a great way to introduce new people and chapters, and will help keep your reader interested. If your ancestors left no personal accounts, you can still tell their story as if they had, using what you’ve learned about them from your research. Look at historical information at the time to see what was happening in their city. Be sure to make it clear that this
information is not from their own writing but is added to give an example of what your relative might have been doing at the time. Use a phrase like “Mary didn’t say this in her record but I can just imagine her …” The stories in your history will help to make it memorable and enjoyable for the reader and satisfying to you. The Stories will make it great.

Chris Stevenson cs@sgenealogy.com 

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Share Your Stories

I have been enjoying several family reunions where family stories were shared. Fortunately, I had my video camera and digital recorder handy to record most of them and then share them with family. Every person and every family have wonderful stories to share but they first need to be saved. I would encourage you to have the tools (video camera, digital recorder, and paper and pen) handy so you can help preserve the stories. Then you can share them in the media (book, DVD, CD, YouTube, email) that you are most comfortable. You will be glad that you did.

Chris Stevenson     cs@sgenealogy.com

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Baby Boy

Today is one of those wonderful days, our son and his wife just gave birth to a healthy little boy. I never cease to be amazed at the miracle of life and how we have such a huge affect on each other. There is so much power in the love of a little baby and how much our lives are changed because of them. I love my grandchildren and I love telling them stories, both fun stories and family stories. I have this deep desire to help form a bridge from my grandchildren to my ancestors. I want them to know and love them as I do. I know that it will help them if they learn their stories. My commitment to my posterity is that I will leave them a legacy that will connect them to their ancestors. This is the best gift that I can give them.

Chris Stevenson   cs@sgenealogy.com

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Holiday Time

I love being with family at Christmas time and on other holidays. We have many family gatherings with both sides of the family. I really enjoy sharing family stories and reminiscing during these gatherings. I would suggest that you bring a digital recorder and turn it on when these stories are being told so they can be preserved and shared.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Chris Stevenson  cs@sgenealogy.com

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The Stories Will Make it Great

Tell a story; don’t just get stuck in the dry facts. Anyone who reads your personal or family history will likely be interested in the facts, but what they’ll enjoy most and remember are the everyday details – favorite stories and anecdotes, embarrassing moments and family traditions. Sometimes it can add interest to include varying accounts of the same event from different perspectives. Personal stories offer a great way to introduce new people and chapters, and will help keep your reader interested. If your ancestors left no personal accounts, you can still tell their story as if they had, using what you’ve learned about them from your research. Look at historical information at the time to see what was happening in their city. Be sure to make it clear that this
information is not from their own writing but is added to give an example of what your relative might have been doing at the time. Use a phrase like “Mary didn’t say this in her record but I can just imagine her …” The stories in your history will help to make it memorable and enjoyable for the reader and satisfying to you. The Stories will make it great.

Chris Stevenson cs@sgenealogy.com www.sgenealogy.com