1: Gather Your Records   2: Gather Records from Others   3: Interview Relatives   4: Browse Memories   5: Prepare Uploads   6: Add and Tag Photos   7: Add Documents   8: Add Stories   9: Write a Life Sketch   10: Add Audio Files   11: Use the Gallery   12: Solutions Gallery                    Translation Tips    Music      Print Friendly and PDF













Project 2: Memories


Goal 9: Write a Life Sketch





Goal 9: Write a life sketch. Vault


Life sketches provide a good overview of an ancestor's life. They are not meant to be long and detailed; you can use the Stories and Documents features to capture that kind of information.


Choices


A Write a personal sketch for yourself.


  1. Write the sketch in a word processor and save the file.
  2. In your Person page, go to Memories.
  3. Drag and drop your life sketch file onto your Memories Gallery, or click Add Memories and select the file from the dialog.

Resources
  1. For ideas on writing your own life sketch, watch the video.

    BYU—Simple Tips for Writing Life Sketches in Family Tree—37:59 - 2020   


  2. Learn how to deal with privacy issues in telling family stories.

    FTM—Respecting Privacy in Family History Storytelling

  3. Read these articles for tips on recalling memories from your life.

    FTM—4 Ways to Jog Your Memories
    FTM—3 Tips for Preserving Childhood Memories

  4. Here are some ideas on writing your life sketch in five pages or less.

    RT—How to Write Your Life Story—in Five Pages or Less - 2019


Exercise


B Write a personal sketch for an ancestor.


  1. Write the ancestor sketch in a word processor and save the file.
  2. In the ancestor's Person page, go to Memories.
  3. Drag and drop your life sketch file onto the Memories Gallery, or click Add Memories and select the file from the dialog.
  4. For ideas on writing a life sketch for an ancestor, read these documents.

    LDS—Me, a Biographer? - 1990
    FS—Places to Look for Engaging Details about Your Ancestors - 2018

  5. Here are some tips for writing biographies.

    LT—11 Do's and Don'ts of Writing Family Biographies
    LT—Bridging the Gap: Writing a Family Biography Others Will Want to Read

  6. Learn how to weave historical and community details into your ancestors' narratives.

    FS—Places to Look for Engaging Details about Your Ancestors - 2018
    AR—Breathe Life Into Your Ancestor's Story - 2012

Exercises


C Keep a personal journal to record and preserve your own memories.


  1. Learn about the value of keeping diaries and journals.

    RT—5 Great Reasons to Keep a Journal - 2017
    AAC—Diaries and Journals—4:28 (requires a free account)

  2. Get tips for starting your journal.

    PR—How to Start a Journal
    PR—Journaling Tips: a Beginner's Guide

  3. Learn about creating a digital journal.

    RT—3 Ways to Keep a Digital Journal - 2017

  4. Here are some ideas on improving your journal writing.

    RT—3 Tips to Improve Your Journaling Habits - 2017
    RT—Journaling and Personal History: A Guide for Everyone from Newbies to Self-Proclaimed Professionals - 2018

  5. Learn how journals can become a source for family history discoveries.

    MH—Journals: A Source for Family History Discoveries - 2014

  6. Learn about keeping a journal with a busy schedule.

    RT—Creative Journaling for Busy Parents—22:22 - 2022