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Archiver > SCT-WIGTOWNSHIRE > 2006-06 > 1150316627


From: "Ian A McClumpha" <>
Subject: RE: [WIG LIST] Writing up family history
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:27:54 +0100
In-Reply-To: <000801c68fcb$2cd13900$0201a8c0@Ian>


Hi Ian

I think it is important to include the local and national history of the
times. It helps to put things in perspective and add reasons why certain
actions were taken. It also makes the whole thing more readable. With the
ease of computers today it is a relatively easy task to produce a booklet
where scanned documents, pictures of places etc can provide added interest.
A family tree file can be included as an appendix for the genealogist reader
who needs the precise dates and references.

I might help to separate the generations into chapters.

Best wishes
Ian A McClumpha
Researching Scottish Ancestors; please visit my website:
http://www.imchad.freeola.com




-----Original Message-----
From: The Macwhirters [mailto:]
Sent: 14 June 2006 16:57
To:
Subject: [WIG LIST] Writing up family history


I hope our list administrator permits an enquiry such as this .......

Has anyone ideas on how best to create a semi-literary text on one's family
history and aimed at 'the family' rather than genealogists?

I have very substantial notes on forebears. I also have source references
and notes for future investigative work. The whole would be a bit dry for
the non-genealogist.

I can easily extract a printed account of my Wigtownshire family from
earliest known times for general family reading. My test text already runs
to several hundreds of pages.

To make it of interest to my family at large it ought to have the notes for
future research removed and much of the source lists. Leaving that data, the
genealogical evidence as it were, in the family history database program.

What do other listers think?

Moreover, I'm unsure a simple history beginning with a chapter covering the
earliest ancestor downwards is satisfactory - what of aunts and uncles?
Sometimes we have illustrious relatives out of the mainstream and common
interest suggest these ought to be included. More importantly, starting
Chapter 1 say with Joe McStrangle born 1700 in Kirkinner as the earliest
known ancestor, how best do I give proper prominence to his wife whose
origins are known back much further. In Chapter 2?

The whole text could easily become something of a see-saw through time.
Ungainly. Perhaps there is no option as there'll be a lot of information on
'Joe', little on 'Hamish' and so on. So unevenness is inevitable.

Perhaps someone has thought through the better ways to structure a family
history aimed at the family and might be able to offer advice to all of us.

Thanks

Ian
Ian Macwhirter


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