This is a format for writing a family history. I came across the format when I was writing an oral history on my Dad for the local county historical association. Their format was something college kids write. It had a lot of fancy socio-ethnologic terminology and was six pages long. In my version, I cut out all the fancy terms.

 Starting Point--Select a Person to be the starting point of your history. You?

Vital Statistics--The person's name, birth date, and birthplace. If there were siblings, then their vital information can be included here.

Ancestors--Background information on each set of grandparents:

Grandparents--include names of grandparents, date of immigration, route of immigration, known facts about their lives in Europe, information about where they settled in Texas and why they chose that location. Also include stories about why they immigrated and any adventures that might have had during the voyage. Flesh out how the family grew and lived here in Texas. Detail any relocations and the reasons for those. Include information as to how the grandparents influenced the life of the person about whom the history is being written.

Parents--give vital information and tell how they fit into the world of the grandparents. Describe their jobs, lifestyles, beliefs, and life experiences.

Early Years of Life--describe the home setting and neighborhood. Tell about the technology of the time (no electricity, water from wells, clothing made at home, and type of work done.) Tell about the important people of the life of the person at this time (parents, siblings, and relatives). Describe the foods eaten, social events and schools attended. Detail what activities were undertaken and tell what hobbies the person had. Include any special memories of events and/or occurrences.

 The Years of Growth--describe and detail any changes in home settings and/or neighborhood. Address the changes in technology. As before, tell about the important people of the life of the person at this time, describe the foods eaten, social events and schools attended as well as the activities and hobbies of the person. Include any special stories.

 The Adult Years--Again, describe and detail any changes in home settings and/or neighborhood. Address the changes in technology. Write about careers and job changes. Tell about the important people of the life of the person at this time, describe the foods eaten, social events as well as the activities and hobbies of the person. Cover community service and religious beliefs. Include any special and/or significant stories of events and/or occurrences.

The Golden Years--describe and detail any changes in home settings and/or neighborhood. Address the changes in technology. Write about when the person retired and why. Tell about the important people of the life of the person at this time, describe the foods eaten, social events as well as the activities and hobbies of the person. Include the person's philosophy on life and best and worst memories.

Home