| Schedule | Recorded Presentation | Instructor Bios |
Welcome!
Thank you for registering for the online course, Writing & Publishing Your Family History!
Now is the perfect time to write your family history! Think about the legacy you will be leaving if you write and publish your own family research: not only a legacy for current and future family members, but an important resource for current and future genealogical researchers. This 5-week course led by the writing and publishing experts at American Ancestors will provide you with a step-by-step approach to turning your raw data into an illustrated narrative, Register-style genealogy or Ahnentafel. Topics include: organizing your materials, choosing a genealogical format, adding citations, page layout, and final steps in self-publishing.
This course includes five 90-minute classes; exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; and in-depth Q&A sessions with the instructors.
Instructors include:
Cécile Engeln, Assistant Publishing Director cecile.engeln@nehgs.org
Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press khurst@nehgs.org
Sharon Inglis, Publishing Director sharon.inglis@nehgs.org
COURSE SCHEDULE
Return to this page often for additional resources! You will have access to all the material on this page from the time you register until April 30, 2021.
| Course Activity | Dates of Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class #1 | ||
| Class #1: Online presentation (live!) | 1/6/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time | Getting Started, Presented by Sharon Inglis Ready to write? Learn about the decisions you'll need to make before starting: Who is your audience? What software program will you be using? What is your time frame? Gain valuable tips on how to organize yourself before beginning to write. |
| Video of Class #1 | starting 1/7/2021 | Watch the first class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #2 | ||
| Class #2: Online presentation (live!) | 1/13/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time |
Structure, Sketches, and Citations, Presented by Kyle Hurst Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #2 | starting 1/14/2021 | Watch the second class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #3 | ||
| Class #3: Online presentation (live!) | 1/20/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time |
Adding Story to Family History, Presented by Kyle Hurst Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #3 | starting 1/21/2021 | Watch the third class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #4 | ||
| Class #4: Online presentation (live!) | 1/27/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time | Photos and Illustrations, Presented by Cécile Engeln Get a handle on photo-research basics. Learn how to choose, scan, edit, and insert photos, documents, and other images to make your family history publication come alive. |
| Video of Class #4 | starting 1/28/2021 | Watch the fourth class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #5 | ||
| Class #5: Online presentation (live!) | 2/3/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time |
The Publishing Process, Presented by Sharon Inglis Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #5 | starting 2/4/2021 | Watch the final class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: Getting Started
Presented by: Sharon Inglis, Publishing Director
Running Time: 1:35:56
Live Broadcast: January 6, 2021
Ready to write? Learn about the decisions you'll need to make before starting: Who is your audience? What software program will you be using? What is your time frame? Gain valuable tips on how to organize yourself before beginning to write.
Class 1 Additional Questions from the Chat log
Class 2: Structure, Sketches, and Citations
Presented by: Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press
Running Time: 1:34:33
Live Broadcast: January 13, 2021
Time to get technical! In this class, we consider the genealogy's overall structure and master the numbering systems for the Register-style and Ahnentafel formats. Learn how to write a genealogical sketch in each format while properly citing sources.
Class 2 Additional Questions from the Chat log
Class 3: Adding Story to Family History
Presented by: Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press
Running Time: 1:35:56
Live Broadcast: January 20, 2021
Going beyond names and dates, how can we add narrative that brings our ancestors to life? This class will cover story structure, writing tips, and how to add biographical and contextual details that show how each ancestor lived.
Class 4: Photos and Illustrations
Presented by: Cécile Engeln, Assistant Publishing Director
Running Time: 1:18:48
Live Broadcast: January 27, 2021
Get a handle on photo-research basics. Learn how to choose, scan, edit, and insert photos, documents, and other images to make your family history publication come alive.
Class 5: The Publishing Process
Presented by: Sharon Inglis, Publishing Director
Running Time: 1:45:46
Live Broadcast: February 3, 2021
Learn how to edit, lay out, and publish your work. Gain valuable tips on finding freelance editors and working with publishing vendors.
Class 5 Additional Questions from the Chat log
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Cécile Engeln, Assistant Publishing Director; cecile.engeln@nehgs.org Cécile joined American Ancestors with nearly ten years of editorial and project management experience in academic publishing. She has developed a variety of books, ranging from a guide to U.S. citizenship to graphic novels, and managed the production of complex foreign language programs. She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in French from Andrews University in Michigan. She received her M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College.
Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press; khurst@nehgs.org Kyle holds a B.A. in both History and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a Master’s certificate in Museum Studies from Tufts University. For the culmination of this program, she completed a semester-long internship at the National Archives in Waltham, MA. After two years as a volunteer, Kyle joined American Ancestors in 2008. For several years a member of the Research Services team, she focuses on research in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, and various European countries. A skilled writer, she has been credited for her contributions to The Root, the Vita Brevis blog, and American Ancestors magazine. With Newbury Street Press, she authored the Ancestors & Descendants of Lester Lowry Mays and Peggy Pitman, edited An American Family: Four Centuries of Labor, Love, and Reward, and is currently working on six other book projects.
Sharon Inglis, Publishing Director; sharon.inglis@nehgs.org In nearly 30 years in the educational publishing industry, Sharon developed and directed the production of French, Spanish, Italian, German, social studies, science, and math textbook programs for secondary school and higher education. She is very happy to be at American Ancestors applying her editorial and project management skills to Newbury Street Press publications and the Mayflower Descendant journal, and searching for her Croatian, Scottish, English, and Yankee ancestors in her spare time.
CLASS MATERIALS
Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1 Slides (large)
Class 1 Homework
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 2 Slides (large)
Class 2 Homework (.docx)
Class 2 Homework (.pdf)
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Slides (large)
Class 3 Homework (.docx)
Class 3 Homework (.pdf)
Class 4 Handout
Class 4 Slides Worksheet
Class 4 Slides (large)
Class 4 Homework
Class 5 Handout
Class 5 Slides Worksheet
Class 5 Slides (large)
Class 5 Homework
WRITING TEMPLATES AND SAMPLES
Sample stylesheet
Word Processing Programs
Additional TOC Examples
Register-style template (.doc)
Ahnentafel template (.doc)
Questionnaire for family
Family interview questions
Art log sample (.docx)
Drop Chart template (.doc)
List of online image resources
Editorial checklist
Proofreader's Marks
Sample explanations of format
Publishing checklist
Publishing help
OTHER RESOURCES
Subject Guide: Writing & Publishing Your Family History
Archived Webinar: Ten Steps to Writing & Publishing Your Family History
Guide to Genealogical Writing (not required)