A timeline is not enough. A timeline tells you when your ancestor lived. It can’t tell you how. This week: the most common mistake in family history writing, why a
Author: Lynn
Why Writing Feels Riskier Than ResearchWhy Writing Feels Riskier Than Research
In this week’s Storylines, we’re talking about why so many of us get stuck in research and struggle to make the move into writing. Research can feel like solid ground.
The Research Gap: A Silent Story EngineThe Research Gap: A Silent Story Engine
Sometimes the most powerful part of a story is not what is said outright, but what is left unsaid. In this video, I explore “the gap” as a silent story
How to Choose the Ancestor You Write AboutHow to Choose the Ancestor You Write About
You’ve done the work. You have the binders, the photographs, the spreadsheet with three hundred names — and now you want to write, but you cannot pick which ancestor to
The Difference Between a Life and a StoryThe Difference Between a Life and a Story
Have you ever noticed that a life and a story are not the same thing? A life is everything.Every ordinary Tuesday. Every meal cooked. Every chore finished. Every year that
How to Recognize a Story Worth TellingHow to Recognize a Story Worth Telling
Not every ancestor detail becomes a story—but some absolutely do.The question is… how do you know when you’ve found one?
The Hidden Story inside a Single RecordThe Hidden Story inside a Single Record
Sometimes the story you’re searching for isn’t in the next record…it’s already waiting inside the one you have.
What Makes One Ancestor Story More Powerful Than AnotherWhat Makes One Ancestor Story More Powerful Than Another
It’s easy to think powerful stories come from more dramatic lives.But often, the difference lies in how the story is shaped.
Why Family History Research Doesn’t Automatically Become StoryWhy Family History Research Doesn’t Automatically Become Story
You can spend years gathering records and still feel like you don’t have a story.Because research collects information—but story requires something more.
The Ancestor You Should Write About FirstThe Ancestor You Should Write About First
The hardest part of writing your family history isn’t the writing—it’s knowing where to begin.Let’s find the ancestor who’s already waiting for you.