If you’ve ever stopped to ponder putting together you’re own family history book, you can be sure that you’re not alone. When wondering “How do I make a family history book?” it’s easy to become a little overwhelmed, thinking that the process is a complicated one. The reality, you’ll be pleased to know, is a little different. Once you know what to put in a family history book, the process all starts to look that much easier.
We’re here to guide you through compiling your own family history book. In days when we store so much information digitally, there is still something magical about holding a special book in your hands and flicking through the pages. That is perhaps the reason why family history book printing in the UK is quite so popular.
Putting together your family history book can be a great bonding exercise, seeing family members come together to share memories and enjoy old photos. If that’s something that you’d love to be part of, read on to find out just how you can.
Structure and planning
Okay, we understand that when looking at starting a fun activity the words ‘structure and planning’ are hardly the ones that you’re hoping to see. However, this is perhaps the most important stage when looking at the question “How do I make a family history book?”. Without a plan, you’ll end up going down endless avenues and, realistically, will never quite complete your project.
Now’s the time to either flip open your laptop, or even grab a pen and paper, and start to put together some notes. Some of the things that you’ll need to think about are:
- How far back in history are you wanting to go?
- Which family members do you need to speak to?
- What official sources are there for any documents that you may need?
- How much of your research can be done online?
- Are you going to need to plan any trips?
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning and looking at what to put in a family history book. The good news is, that we’re here to help you answer the questions above.
Keep it fun
Those who know the answer to “How do I make a family history book?”, will be clear on one thing: you need to keep it fun. If you don’t then you’re going to find that the research becomes almost like a chore and it becomes far too easy to lose interest. Talking to relatives early on can help you to identify any problems, or gaps, that you’ll come across. Knowing this in advance can help you to plan, and also stop you from becoming disheartened.
When it comes to family history book printing in the UK, you need to know just what you want to produce. Are you going to include plenty of photos or other images? Maybe you're wanting as much text as possible so that you can record the maximum amount of information? Either way, you’re going to need to know where you can find all that you need.
Let the research begin
Perhaps the easiest places to start with your research are your mobile or laptop. There are so many websites out there nowadays that make it easy to tap into our history. Two of the best known are Ancestry and My Heritage. Of course, tech doesn’t have to be involved every step of the way. Some of the most useful, and reliable, information that you will find will come as a result of talking to your relatives.
Where else could you go on your hunt for information? Here are a few suggestions:
- Back to tech and a good old Google search could turn up new information
- A visit to your local library and examining local records and newspapers
- A trip to the archives to take a look at birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Turning to a DNA service
While looking at “How do I make a family history book?”, you may well have already considered some of these options. However, not everyone realises just how useful DNA can be. By taking a simple swab, and sending it for analysis, you can uncover more about your heritage and where your family has come from. This can give you a new insight and even give you some new leads to explore.
What to put in a family history book
The reality is that, when it comes to what to put in a family history book, the choice is really yours. In your planning stage, you’ll have decided how you want your book to look and you may have given some thought to what you want to include. Some of the most common inclusions are:
- A family tree - often seen as a must by many putting together a family history book
- A record of any notable achievements
- A copy of newspaper reports
- Family recipes that have been handed down through the generations
- Maps that highlight areas of importance to your family
- Plenty of photographs
What really makes a family history book great is when it includes information about everyday life. A glimpse into just how ancestors lived, and what their day to day life was like, is usually a fascinating read. How were their work lives? How was the area that they lived in? Did they face any particular struggles? All this information can make your ancestors become three dimensional and be much more than just a photo and a name.
Family history books with Book Printing UK
When you’ve got all of your information together and have all that you need for your family history book, the next step is to make it a reality. Some people get stuck at this stage and aren’t sure where to turn. This is where we can help.
Whether you’re looking to turn your family history book into a paperback or a top-quality hardback, we have the skills and the know-how to do that. Get in touch today and let us help you to bring your book to life.