Remember: You know more than you think you know! Gather your Census data, vital records, Bible entries, photo albums, news clippings, and whatever else pertains to the person or people in the story you want to tell.
Jot notes about your memories and ask relatives what they remember about a particular ancestor or couple, a family occasion or situation, or a special photo (wedding portrait, for instance).
All of this will help you identify key points and people in your family's history, and uncover the drama that you can play up in your narrative.
If you're lucky enough to have letters, diaries, or interviews, go through and select quotes that add color and personality to your ancestors and reflect the drama in their lives.
Above, a quote from my late father-in-law, Edgar J. Wood, who said this 30+ years ago when my husband interviewed him about his earlier life and his love of playing the piano. The quote hints at the conflict between Ed and his father. It also explains why Ed had to play in so many jazz bands to make money for tuition, room, and board at Tufts, where he was in college during the 1920s.
The conflict came to a boiling point when Ed's mother, Mary Slatter Wood, died unexpectedly near the end of Ed's senior year. After Ed returned home for the funeral, he never lived at home again. He left college a few weeks later, not able to pass a language course needed for graduation. Then he moved to New York City and tried to make a living through his music. More drama!
What dramatic moments or conflicts are in your family's past? Look for them and use them to "hook" your readers.
This is an excerpt from my latest genealogy presentation, "Do the 'Write' Thing for Genealogy."
I like the idea of including the quote in a quote bubble beside a photo - a visual hook!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of adding drama! I have a lot of short quotes from my great aunt, Beulah. I can see adding "bubbles" to her as I share the stories in a book! Hmmmm......
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