Thanks. In my view, Walt, the whole matter of documentation and the proper form and placement for such information is another subject and such material would not have been responsive to the questions asked by the ladies concerning beginning organization.
As you may know, in my book I go to great lengths to explain and give examples of every form of documentation and how to properly set such forth. Nice to hear from you. Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: Walter F. Williams
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:05 PM
Subject: Re: Question of all questions
Paul:HANK YOU. That's what I try to do.
I am a good many hundred pages into things and your words are right on
target. The only thing I would add (with my life long background or
research) is document, document document. Then make clear where you are just
building a theory. Have fun all in writing bios.
Walt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 6:25 PM
Subject: Question of all questions
I have been asked by Joan, Suzy, and Helen, among others, concerning how to
organize your efforts to write a family history. Honestly, no answer that
would fit here or take less than 6 months to write is possible; the subject
is simply too broad. That said, a couple of ideas come to mind.
First, you should know that where - what family or ancestor with whom you
begin - is not atall important, and I teach that you should start by
gathering together every bit of data and material you have as to your
favorite ancestor or single family unit. Though you must plan to write
about ALL the family in order that you most benefit your descendants (or
tell your readers some very good reason why you will not do that), as I have
said you must start someplace and your favorite person or family is that
place. You will much later decide what chapter that first writing will be,
but for now the chapterage and titles are of no importance
Genealogy itself provides a very satisfactory organization for the effort;
you do it by dates from now back through time or from your earliest known
ancestor down to now. Pick one or the other of those directions and,
whichever you choose, stick to it for the entire book. Next, lay out all
your materials as to that favorite ancestor or family in chronological
order.
One of the better ways to move ahead is to start with your earliest known
ancestor of your favorite family, write about him or her, and then write
about the husband or wife of that favorite and HIS or HER family. Next come
forward toward now with the next generation - your direct ancestor, the son
or daughter of that favorite and earliest ancestor in that line, write of
that person and then of the family of the spouse of that person. Then come
forward another generation - your ancestor, the grandchild of that favorite
person, write of him or her and then of his or her spouse the family of that
spouse. And so on and on till now.
As you are writing about each of those ancestors and their spouses, you can
write what and however much you wish concerning the siblings of that
ancestor and their descendants. I prefer to write of those siblings -
collateral lines - in an appendix to that family, otherwise, after only a
couple generations, you will have more material than your readers will find
interesting.
Enough then, for a beginning; start that process in the way suggested or in
any other fashion, however whatever plan you choose, be consistent and use
the same approach generation after generation.
One final thought for this tiny summary: good writers of family history
always observe what we call "equality of treatment". That does not mean that
you must write the same number of words about everybody, but it does mean
that you at least mention and put in their rightful place all your direct
predecessors. As an example, if you intend to write about a G-GMother who
had 12 kids and worked diligently in a factory to keep her family together,
then you must follow that with at least a description and a tad of info
about her husband or mate.
Enough then. I will help any who start the effort, but not I or anyone can
help you if you don't start writing. As I said, a book is accomplished by
the writing of it, and not by thinking, planning, and discussing it. Paul
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