Enrollment options
Course image Life of Our Ancestors
Intermediate Electives
Course Summary:
Creating interesting family history stories involves adding details of your ancestor’s life that go beyond just names and dates. What was their occupation? What religious and political beliefs did they hold? Did they serve in the military, and why did they do what they did? This is an interesting way to start fleshing out the bones of your genealogy and to make your family history come alive.
In this course we will explore how to find and incorporate information about your ancestor’s life to how to write and publish your family history story. Not sure how to go about writing the story of your ancestor? We cover the very beginning steps of writing to the final product.
Contact Hours: 18
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 7 weeks
Course Content
MODULE 1
THE BASICS OF WRITING
Introduction
Why should we write family stories?
What about other stories outside of straight genealogy?
What is the FOCUS of the writing project?
What General Research Materials Can We Use?
Ethics and Copyright
A Brief Look at Ethics and Copyright
Deed of Gift or Usage Agreements
Writing Assistance
MODULE 2
EXPLORING THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY
How to Explore the Individual or Family
Memory and Story Lists
Jog Your Memory
Incorporate Life Lessons
First Ideas on Writing and Storytelling
Creating the Outline and Timeline for the Story
The Research
MODULE 3
MANY FACETS OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Thinking Outside of the Box
Historical Research Considerations
Conducting Historical Research
Next Steps
MODULE 4
TELLING THE STORY
Managing the Writing Project
Writing Tips
Telling the Story
Story Examples
MODULE 5
PUBLISHING
Introduction
Self-Publishing Examples
Writing and Editing
Beta Readers
Layout - Preparing the Text and Images
Cover Design
Proofreaders
Publishing Options - Print and Print On Demand
MODULE 6
GETTING SUPPORT FOR WRITING
Introduction
Education
Writing Groups, Residencies, Retreats, and Studios
Writing Competitions
Special Topic Programs and Lectures
Books, Blogs, Journals, and Magazines
Find a Friend
Suggested Reading and Resources for Writing
MODULE 1
THE BASICS OF WRITING
Introduction
Why should we write family stories?
What about other stories outside of straight genealogy?
What is the FOCUS of the writing project?
What General Research Materials Can We Use?
Ethics and Copyright
A Brief Look at Ethics and Copyright
Deed of Gift or Usage Agreements
Writing Assistance
MODULE 2
EXPLORING THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY
How to Explore the Individual or Family
Memory and Story Lists
Jog Your Memory
Incorporate Life Lessons
First Ideas on Writing and Storytelling
Creating the Outline and Timeline for the Story
The Research
MODULE 3
MANY FACETS OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Thinking Outside of the Box
Historical Research Considerations
Conducting Historical Research
Next Steps
MODULE 4
TELLING THE STORY
Managing the Writing Project
Writing Tips
Telling the Story
Story Examples
MODULE 5
PUBLISHING
Introduction
Self-Publishing Examples
Writing and Editing
Beta Readers
Layout - Preparing the Text and Images
Cover Design
Proofreaders
Publishing Options - Print and Print On Demand
MODULE 6
GETTING SUPPORT FOR WRITING
Introduction
Education
Writing Groups, Residencies, Retreats, and Studios
Writing Competitions
Special Topic Programs and Lectures
Books, Blogs, Journals, and Magazines
Find a Friend
Suggested Reading and Resources for Writing