Family Stories – The Stories Are The Key
By Richard Kearns

The family stories are the key. You have been collecting dry bits of information and facts for some time. Your search for your ancestors has given you a glimpse into the past. But the research can also be frustrating and intimidating. What do I do with these facts? How do I present this information so that everyone can appreciate the challenges and sacrifices that my ancestors made? The facts take time to collect, but the stories pop up at the most unexpected times and are the key to making your tree come alive for the rest of your family.

Your family history, your heritage, is more than just dates and places. Our challenge, as family historians, is to not only discover the ancestors’ names and dates but to research and find the stories that each one of them left behind. The stories may be in scrapbooks and Family Bibles in our Grandmother’s front room or in newspaper articles that were published decades ago. Still other stories may be recorded in history books or even heritage group publications.

Some of these stories may not be recorded at all, but instead passed down from one generation to another at family reunions, parties and dinners. The important thing to remember is, that when you uncover one of these stories, be sure to record every last detail. Even tape the conversation or photocopy the text. Being very methodical and meticulous in your research will make the difference between dry facts and heartwarming stories of past challenges and victories.

Researching your family tree can provide valuable insights into the lives and times of your ancestors. These searches for your family’s past, whether through searchable databases or your Uncle’s attic, will help you understand your heritage. Revealing your heritage to the rest of your family can be a rewarding hobby that may bring your family closer together and more importantly bring the past alive for your children and your children’s children.

Richard Kearns publishes an informative, easy to use website that helps people discover their family heritage and shows them how to document their family tree for future generations. Go to Family Stories - The Stories Are The Key for more information.

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