Are you interested in creating a book to document your roots and capture meaningful memories? Something family members will take great pride in and pass down to future generations?
As you’re getting started you may wonder what actually fills the pages. What can you include to truly capture the essence of those it’s about?
I want to help you think through important elements that will bring color and context to the book you want to create. To go beyond the obvious and represent a life well-lived.
Family Facts or Family Tree
It may sound basic, but there’s a reason more and more people are scouring genealogy databases or enlisting the help of DNA services. If left undocumented, important details about our families and ancestors get buried in the dust of time.
It’s up to you how wide and far back you want to go. The details or diagram may include:
- First and last names
- Maiden names
- Gender
- Years of birth
- Places of birth
- Years of death
- Visual representation of relationships
Memories & Stories
Do facts mean anything without context behind them?
That’s where stories come in. The name “Florence Smith” brings on new meaning when Grandma recounts how her eldest sister, Flo – who took on housekeeping duties after their mother passed away – made her scrub the kitchen floors on her hands and knees every single day after school. A chore she still can’t stand the thought of 50 years later.
Memories bring meaning and connection, even for those who weren’t there. That’s why I’m passionate about helping your family capture first-hand accounts before it’s too late.
Conversations may vary depending on the subject of your legacy story. Here are some common starting points:
- Life as a child including parents, siblings, pets, and friends
- Schooling
- First job
- Military experience
- Meeting their significant other
- Wedding and early marriage
- Career
- Buying a first home
- Becoming a parent
- Holiday traditions
- Hobbies/passions
- Travel
- Retirement/Golden Years
- Becoming a grandparent
If you’re going to interview family members yourself, it’s helpful to have a list of open-ended questions and always be open to where the conversation flows. Don’t be afraid to dig deeper.
Another tip: Make sure to record the audio. This takes away the pressure of taking notes and allows you to be fully present during the conversation. You’ll also have the ability to play it back in the future or use the file for a video project.
Wisdom
It’s worth noting that life lessons, tips, or the secrets behind special skills may come out naturally during interviews. Such wisdom can be incorporated within the text of stories, but can have even greater impact when featured in its own section.
Photos
If a picture’s worth a thousand words, imagine the impact of a photo paired with accompanying text. The infamous story of Bobby’s birthday disaster comes alive with a shot of the guilty five-year-old covered in chocolate next to his devoured cake – moments before the party started.
When choosing photos, consider a mix of both formal and candid. Posed and professional images from life milestones are wonderful, but so are fading Polaroids and snapshots from everyday life.
If we are working together, I’ll ask for a wide variety of photos to consider including.
Letters & Postcards
In a world of immediate and fleeting digital communication, there is something increasingly special about a handwritten note. Or a letter with the imprints and scuffs of an early typewriter.
Postcards from the war. Letters between family members across countries. A name and phone number jotted on a napkin that led to a first date… and later a 70th wedding anniversary.
If you have handwritten items with sentimental value, let’s dig them out of the drawers and get them digitized.
Family Recipes
Too often, family recipes are passed down by word of mouth – until they slowly fade from use and memory. Capture those traditional and generations-old recipes in a safe and beautiful place for future reference.
Do you have a handwritten recipe card for Great Grandma’s spaghetti sauce complete with tomato splotches? Perfect. Alternatively, recipes can be typed and paired with a photo of the family gathered around the dining room table on Christmas.
Legal Documents
Immigration papers, marriage certificates, deeds to a home or family business… If a legal document holds significance, it deserves a place in the story.
Newspaper Clippings
Have you been holding on to a fading newspaper article featuring a family member or important historic event? Or a copy or digital version from a newspaper archive? It’s amazing how black-and-white columns can add such color to a story.
Historical Context
History doesn’t have to be incorporated via a news outlet’s recount. Historical context can be peppered in by simply adding a sidebar with relevant dates or facts next to a story or photo.
Picture a page recounting an Airman’s experience during the Korean War. Next to his words and fading photographs is a box highlighting key events from the war. It’s a way to bridge the gap many of us feel between historical knowledge and what it meant to the people who lived through it.
Maps
Bring your immediate family or an ancestor’s journey to life with a map displaying places of special interest. Places of birth, immigration, where they served in the military or eventually settled down… The visual just might inspire someone to travel in those same footsteps someday.
Timeline
Your story may cover a lot of ground. A timeline graphic can be an easy-to-digest summary of some of the highlights.
Miscellaneous Heirlooms
Grandpa’s paintings. Dad’s harmonica he’d play every evening as you and your siblings danced around. The giant crock used to make countless batches of sauerkraut… and stink up the whole house (but now smells oddly comforting).
There are likely physical heirlooms that hold special meaning in your family. You can take photos of these items so they are documented and can be more widely spread throughout the family.
I hope this list opened your eyes to new ideas about what you can include in a legacy book. The most important thing to remember is there is no right or wrong. Spend some time thinking through the possibilities and then get started.
If you have questions or are interested in assistance with your family legacy project, please reach out to me. I am here to help take away the overwhelm in what can feel like a daunting process.
Wow – such a complete array of ideas. Gives me much to think about and really some concrete guidance. Looking forward to getting started! ❤️
Thanks Jan! I’m so glad you found the ideas helpful and can’t wait to hear how you put them to use.