A family photo book without captions is nice—but one with captions is an heirloom. A primer on what type of captions to include and how to design them cleanly.

photo legacy, book ideas & inspirationDawn M. RoodeMarch 7, 2022how to write captions for photos, storytelling captions, using photos to tell family stories, how to design a family photo bookComment

Life Story Links: March 1, 2022

This week's curated roundup is again overflowing with quality pieces on telling family stories, finding family history, and preserving a meaningful legacy.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeMarch 1, 2022finding family history, first person storytelling, connecting through stories, making history personalComment

14 Best RootsTech sessions for family storytellers in 2022

Here are my top picks for RootsTech 2022 sessions teaching about family storytelling and photo legacy. They’re all free, and you've got a year to watch!

family history, reviewsDawn M. RoodeMarch 1, 2022rootstech 2022, family history classes Comments

Storytelling hack: Talk, don’t write.

Do you want to write your memoir but don't consider yourself a writer? Don't worry, there's another—easier—way to preserve them. Speak your life stories aloud.

family history, memoir & writingDawn M. RoodeFebruary 20, 2022oral history recording, writing tips for non-writers, how to tell your story is you are not a writerComment

Life Story Links: February 14, 2022

This week's curated reading list for memory-keepers, family historians, and memoirists includes first-person stories, preservation tips, and recent reviews.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeFebruary 14, 2022hidden family history stories, nyc history, reviews of recent articlesComment

Today: “I don’t care.” Tomorrow: “That was life-changing.”

Family stories have enduring value. Some you share now may not be relevant enough for your kids to care. But one day they will see themselves in your stories.

family history, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeFebruary 7, 2022life lessons through storytelling, intergenerational storytelling, writing about life transitionsComment

Life Story Links: February 1, 2022

Stories about journaling, memoir writing, and preserving individual accounts of WWII—they're all in this week's curated reading list for personal historians.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeFebruary 1, 2022journal writing, vulnerability in writing, WWII storiesComment

The simple reason your life story project never gets finished

Got a life story writing project that you've wanted to do for a long time that's just not getting done? How setting a deadline may be the key to completion.

family history, memoir & writingDawn M. RoodeJanuary 24, 2022creating a plan for your legacy book, the power of deadlines for writing projects, avoid overwhelm with your family history projectComment