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From: Karen Rhodes <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] Including National and Local Events in Narratives
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:07:15 -0500
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In-Reply-To: <COL117-W141627322731B84AAFD92FAC8A0@phx.gbl>


Melissa Barker wrote:
> Hello List,
>
> I have been pondering something for a few days and thought I would bring it to my favorite group of people to get your opinions, suggestions, etc.
>
> I would like to include national and local happenings and events in my ancestors life stories. Maybe even world events. I love history and I know that my ancestors were effected by what went on around them in their community as well as things that happened in their country, which is mainly the U.S.
>
> What is the best way to do this?
>
> I have thought of weaving the events in and out of the ancestors lives as I write the narrative.
>
> I have thought of putting the events at the end of a narrative as an after thought like "While this person was alive, these things happened in the world, the U.S and locally....".
>
> I understand that if an event specifically effected my ancestor that would be included in the actual narrative, however, the events that happened that I can not prove or document had a specific effect on my ancestor, how can I include them in such a way that the information flows well with the narrative?
>
> Would like to hear from others who have done this or if you just have an opinion.
>
> As always I am grateful for everyone's input!!
>

That's an interesting question. I have included history in my
narratives, as it has affected my ancestors, e.g., World War II gets
into the narrative because my father was a U.S. Navy aviator and flight
instructor. I don't know that I would go far afield into happenings
that did not directly affect an ancestor, though certainly current
events help form the times in which they live. I think it would depend
on how deeply you (or your client) want to get into it. If this is for
a client, do they want to spend the money for your time in doing it?
Small events happening in another place or another country might not
qualify. Certainly something like World War II, or 9/11, would. It can
be a difficult call.

Gads, what a wishy-washy answer! (grin) Yes, I am firmly on the fence
on this one!

Karen Rhodes
Middleburg, Clay County, Florida

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