When I was growing up, my mother, her siblings (there were 10 siblings) and my grandmother, would gather and share their experiences of the day and memories of the past. I loved listening to these stories of what it was like to grow up on a farm, in a time of little modern technology, in a home filled with love, laughter, challenges and triumphs.

For years mom’s family shared a family newsletter, (Clinger-Slaugh Family Newsletter) which was sent out monthly. In the newsletter family members detailed the events of the previous month, needs of family members, where and when the next family reunion would be, news of deaths (funerals), births, missions, marriages and the family’s comings and goings. When I left home for college and then a mission, I not only received weekly letters from my parents, but also the Family Newsletter. This newsletter helped me stay connected with my grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. No matter what I was experiencing in my life, good or bad, I knew that I had a family that loved me.

I was so grateful for this newsletter, and feel a little guilty that my generation did not keep it going. I am also grateful for the stories that my parents have left for me, they are precious to me. Our recorded stories, become love notes to future generations in our own families. In an article posted to the FamilySearch Blog; 18 Writing Tips for 2018: How to Tell Personal and Family Stories with Confidence, you can learn how to write your own history in a fun and organized way. Ideas are shared to help you write your own story so that is meaningful to you, and those who read it will be able to hear your voice. Some of the topics covered in this article include:

• How to get started
• Ways to trigger memories
• How to keep it simple
• How to make it last

I am looking forward to following some of the tips in this article to guide me in writing my own story, and sharing the stories of loved ones now gone. I hope these ideas will help you as you do the same. –Elaine Hardman