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Bring ‘Em Back to Life: Writing Our Ancestor’s Stories
Telling the Stories That Might Otherwise Be Lost
Every genealogist gathers names, dates, and records. But not every story is told.
Over time, it becomes clear that research alone is not enough. If the stories remain in notes, files, or databases, they are easily lost—especially to those outside the genealogical community.
Bring ’Em Back to Life: Writing Our Ancestor’s Stories focuses on that next step: transforming research into stories that can be shared, understood, and remembered.
This course guides participants through the process of identifying stories within the records, developing them through writing, and shaping them for a broader audience. From early stages of writing, as you research, draft, revise, and share a finished piece, the emphasis is on creating work that resonates beyond the genealogical community.
Participants engage in hands-on workshops, explore storytelling techniques, and learn how to balance evidence with narrative. The course also addresses practical considerations such as documentation, editing, and even legal issues related to sharing written work.
The goal is not simply to write, but to communicate—to take well-researched lives and present them in a way that others can connect with and understand.
For those who feel the pull to do more with their research—to preserve not just information, but experience—this course offers a way to bring those stories forward and ensure they are not forgotten.