Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY* 5/24/01

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WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

By Mary Emma Allen

Far from being a dull research project, digging into your
family's past and writing about the people and events you
discover can be fascinating. A family history also helps
give a sense of belonging to children and grandchildren, a
feeling of continuity between the generations.

My research and writing began when my dad, at 92, asked me
to take on the project of writing his memoirs. He'd jotted
down some recollections in a notebook which gave me my
start.

I'd heard some of these stories of his younger life, but had
forgotten many and never knew about others. I soon learned
he had nearly a century of living to relate, and I
discovered I was learning the history of a remarkable man.

Getting to Know Family

When you begin to search your family history, you'll get to
know your parents and grandparents in a different way.
You'll see them, through their recollections and the
memories of others, as they were while growing up,
struggling to provide a living for a young family, and
contributing to their community to make a better life for
others.

How To Begin

How do you begin your family history?

* Talk with your parents and record their memories on paper,
on audio cassette or video tape.

* Visit other relatives and get their recollections about
life in days ago.

* Take photos of living relatives, of old homes where they
lived, of the cemeteries where ancestors are buried. Search
old photo albums for snapshots of other relatives.

* Don't rely solely on your memory as your parents and
relatives relate their stories of younger years. Write down
or put on tape what they tell you.

* Go through old letters you might have saved from your
parents and relatives as well as those you've written them.
These will give you insight into common everyday events that
most everyone has forgotten.

* Go to the cemeteries where your ancestors are buried and
jot down the dates and names for your family tree.

Publishing a History

You may want to collect this history solely as a family
record for yourself and your children. Or you might desire
to have it printed in booklet form for family and any others
who are interested in what your family has done.

Nowadays, with desktop publishing programs, you even can
publish the family history yourself, without having to take
it to a printer.

Keep Memories Alive

Family histories are fascinating. Don't let yours be
forgotten because someone neglected to write down the tales
of yesteryear and record the family tree.

If you don't do this now, someday you'll say, "I wish I'd
written all that information down for my children and future
generations."

Mary Emma Allen
me.allen@juno.com

Send Mary Emma an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her article!
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Mary Emma Allen is a journalist, columnist, children's
writer, book author, and newsletter editor. Her many
publications are listed on her Web site:
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea

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I wanted to let everyone know about Mary Emma's new books!

Mary Emma Allen, children's writer/illustrator (me.allen@juno.com),
announces the publication of TALES OF ADVENTURE &
DISCOVERY COLORING BOOK which accompanies her
children's anthology. Mary Emma has collected illustrations
from the anthology, along with story excerpts, for the
coloring book. She soon will be publishing a picture book
of one of the stories from the anthology and a book of writing
activities to accompany it. Mary Emma also gives author
talks and workshops in schools and libraries around the country.
Visit her web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea

Do you wonder how to cope when a loved one develops Alzheimer's disease?
Mary Emma Allen experienced this with her mother and has chronicled
her mother's journey through Alzheimer's in WHEN WE BECOME THE
PARENT TO OUR PARENTS. Through this book you can learn that
even though it's a devastating disease, it doesn't have to devastate you
nor your family member who has been stricken. For more information
about Mary Emma's book, visit her web site:
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea;

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Thought For The Day:

"There is one thing alone that stands the brunt of life throughout its length: a quiet conscience." --Euripides

Verse for the Day:

"If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God."
1 John 3:21

Kid's Thought For The day:

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five
and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father
and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to
treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy
(the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"In an effort to insure my children's tomorrows, I have lost their todays."
--Danny Thomas

Coach's Thought For The Day

"Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good." --Joe Paterno

Deep Thought For The Day:

"When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half."
--Gracie Allen
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_
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ /    THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \   Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
   \_\/   of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

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