Recently
my genealogy research has been unfocused. I have found census records here and
visited cemeteries there. I have switched from one side of the family to
another. There have been small discoveries but nothing that inspired fireworks.
There have been days when I have put it all aside and spent time at my sewing
machine, finishing a pile of neglected projects.
I
need to refocus the time I spend with my genealogy. And I know just where I
should direct my efforts. All I have to do is sit at my desk at look at my cork
board. Right there, on index cards, is the book for my mother’s family, nicely
organized.
Years
ago I wrote a slim volume called ‘Remembrances: The Story of the Coyle,
Mullane, Gardner & Related Families’. At 130 pages it included family
trees, photographs, stories and endnotes. I took it to an office store &
had copies made that were bound together with a plastic spiral binding. The
limited copies went to my brothers and my children. That Christmas there were
big smiles and lots of page turning.
When
I look at that that little book now I see how far I have come in learning about
the family. Since the book was written I traveled to Ireland to research in
archives and to walk where my great grandmother walked. Since the book was
written I hired a researcher who sent my Jewish roots back two more generations.
In
the years since I wrote that original book I have met and become good friends
with my Irish second cousins. We have shared stories & photographs &
good times.
I
now have more data, more stories & more photographs. I also have a grandnephew,
a grandniece and a grandson who should each have a copy of the complete story. What
am I waiting for?
It
is time to write!
Related Posts:
I love the use of a "Cork Board" for layout. Does the sub-categories then becomes chapters or part 1, 2, 3 in your book?
ReplyDeleteYes, sections & then chapters. You will see in my next 'Time to Write' post.
DeleteBest of luck with your writing, Colleen. I also could do with taking a more focused approach - I flit from family to family like a butterfly choosing flowers.
ReplyDeleteDara, I know exactly what you mean! It is not easy to stick to just one flower.
Delete