Enrollment options
Course image Writing Your Family History Book
Basic Electives
Course Summary:
Optional Print Course Material: Writing Your Family History Book
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
Recording interesting family stories is essential if you want
future generations to read your family history book. This course
will help you write the story of your life or of your ancestors’
lives. Techniques for researching the facts, remembering the
events, writing the text, adding visuals with graphics or
photographs, and finally reproducing your book will all be
discussed.
Course Length: 6 weeks
Contact Hours: 15
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 6 weeks
Course Content
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Writing
Techniques for Researching the Facts
The Art of Storytelling
Organizing Your Material
Organizing Family Documents, Photographs, and Other Items
Twenty-First-Century Family Trees
MODULE 2
FORMATTING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Charts and Reports
Scrapbooks and Journals
Ancestor Profiles
Books
Booklets and Newsletters
Electronic Publishing
MODULE 3
TIME MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Writing Obstacles/Distractions
Setting Goals
MODULE 4
WRITING THE TEXT
Writing from Documents
Writing from Photographs
Writing from Family Research/Interviews
Questioning Techniques
Transcribing Interviews
Problems with Contacting Relatives
What Material to Include
Inserting Charts, Graphics, and Photographs
Putting Your Family in Historical Context
Writing Your Story
MODULE 5
THE RESEARCH IS DONE, NOW WHAT?
Introduction
Publishing Options
Publishing Goals - Recouping Costs
Blogging
Print On-Demand
Self-Publishing
Traditional Publishing
Final Thoughts on Publishing
WRITING EXERCISES FOR WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Suggested Reading
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Writing
Techniques for Researching the Facts
The Art of Storytelling
Organizing Your Material
Organizing Family Documents, Photographs, and Other Items
Twenty-First-Century Family Trees
MODULE 2
FORMATTING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Charts and Reports
Scrapbooks and Journals
Ancestor Profiles
Books
Booklets and Newsletters
Electronic Publishing
MODULE 3
TIME MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Writing Obstacles/Distractions
Setting Goals
MODULE 4
WRITING THE TEXT
Writing from Documents
Writing from Photographs
Writing from Family Research/Interviews
Questioning Techniques
Transcribing Interviews
Problems with Contacting Relatives
What Material to Include
Inserting Charts, Graphics, and Photographs
Putting Your Family in Historical Context
Writing Your Story
MODULE 5
THE RESEARCH IS DONE, NOW WHAT?
Introduction
Publishing Options
Publishing Goals - Recouping Costs
Blogging
Print On-Demand
Self-Publishing
Traditional Publishing
Final Thoughts on Publishing
WRITING EXERCISES FOR WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Suggested Reading