7 thought on “Why you should almost never end your ancestor’s story with their death”
Excellent. This was a terrific point! I hadn’t thought about the ending of their chapter quite this way. I will go back once more and check how I have ended each ancestors’ story. Thanks again, Lynn
Lynn, this is an eye opener. I planned to end my story of Alonzo and Louisa Bell with their deaths. You have made me reconsider that. Perhaps I will end it with them on their property in New Mexico, watching their granddaughter (my grandmother) riding her horse on the land whee they finally achieved success as ranchers. It was a long journey from Ohio to Kansas and then New Mexico.
Ron
My story about an ancestor finishes with a meaningful message about his accomplishments.
He died by being hit by an oncoming car after dashing into oncoming traffic. Coroner’s journey ruled it an accidental death. Where is it appropriate to tell this in his story?
Thanks Lynn! This makes a lot of sense to me. I tend to think of my ancestor’s life as a pizza. (stay with me here) The whole life if the pie and the part I’m telling is just one slice! I can pick up any slice of the pie and get a different story! Thanks for the confirmation on this!
Great message, Lynn. Especially your closing statement: I am sure there are far more meaningful events in your ancestor’s life that can stand as their final image!
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your vast Family History Writing knowledge as it is greatly appreciated and helpful. Presently I am not writing a true family history story but I send out a newsletter to family members on the death anniversary of a family member or ancestor as an act remembrance. As time progressed I widened the scope from just facts and relations to include any anecdotes I knew about the person and any relevant family history, story or interesting fact. For example, recently I sent one about my aunt and I included details about her husband who had served in the Canadian Merchant Navy, with some information about that branch.
I also send these remembrance newsletters to encourage others to share any kind and/or humourous memory they may have of the person. It has taken a while, but some are now sharing stories, most I had never heard. It is becoming a treasure trove of stories/information that otherwise may never have been known to the majority of the family. Besides that bonus, it has allowed me to connect and correspond with cousins that I had not done so previously.
I took your 30-day Challenge and even though I wasn’t writing during the Challenge it provided me with a plethora of information and ideas that I will incorporate into these “remembrances”.
Today’s session hit home as I usually do end with a phrase like “God rest their soul”, which is ending with a reference to their death. Thank you for spotlighting that this isn’t the best way to end these, but rather with something positive about their life. I can still include my prayer but in another place in the newsletter.
If I ever decide to write a family history story I will definitely purchase your Masterclass.
Again, many thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience in such a warm and engaging manner.
Sincerely
Eliza
Toronto, ON
Oh dear. I’ve made such terrible mistakes !!!! So, back to the drawing board with my stories. THANK YOU, LYN.
Excellent. This was a terrific point! I hadn’t thought about the ending of their chapter quite this way. I will go back once more and check how I have ended each ancestors’ story. Thanks again, Lynn
Lynn, this is an eye opener. I planned to end my story of Alonzo and Louisa Bell with their deaths. You have made me reconsider that. Perhaps I will end it with them on their property in New Mexico, watching their granddaughter (my grandmother) riding her horse on the land whee they finally achieved success as ranchers. It was a long journey from Ohio to Kansas and then New Mexico.
Ron
My story about an ancestor finishes with a meaningful message about his accomplishments.
He died by being hit by an oncoming car after dashing into oncoming traffic. Coroner’s journey ruled it an accidental death. Where is it appropriate to tell this in his story?
Thanks Lynn! This makes a lot of sense to me. I tend to think of my ancestor’s life as a pizza. (stay with me here) The whole life if the pie and the part I’m telling is just one slice! I can pick up any slice of the pie and get a different story! Thanks for the confirmation on this!
Great message, Lynn. Especially your closing statement: I am sure there are far more meaningful events in your ancestor’s life that can stand as their final image!
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your vast Family History Writing knowledge as it is greatly appreciated and helpful. Presently I am not writing a true family history story but I send out a newsletter to family members on the death anniversary of a family member or ancestor as an act remembrance. As time progressed I widened the scope from just facts and relations to include any anecdotes I knew about the person and any relevant family history, story or interesting fact. For example, recently I sent one about my aunt and I included details about her husband who had served in the Canadian Merchant Navy, with some information about that branch.
I also send these remembrance newsletters to encourage others to share any kind and/or humourous memory they may have of the person. It has taken a while, but some are now sharing stories, most I had never heard. It is becoming a treasure trove of stories/information that otherwise may never have been known to the majority of the family. Besides that bonus, it has allowed me to connect and correspond with cousins that I had not done so previously.
I took your 30-day Challenge and even though I wasn’t writing during the Challenge it provided me with a plethora of information and ideas that I will incorporate into these “remembrances”.
Today’s session hit home as I usually do end with a phrase like “God rest their soul”, which is ending with a reference to their death. Thank you for spotlighting that this isn’t the best way to end these, but rather with something positive about their life. I can still include my prayer but in another place in the newsletter.
If I ever decide to write a family history story I will definitely purchase your Masterclass.
Again, many thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience in such a warm and engaging manner.
Sincerely
Eliza
Toronto, ON
Oh dear. I’ve made such terrible mistakes !!!! So, back to the drawing board with my stories. THANK YOU, LYN.