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When it comes to telling your ancestors' stories, one of the most common questions is: Where should I start? Should you begin with their birth, a significant event, or maybe the end of their life? There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but that's what makes writing family history so intriguing!
Here at the Write Your Family History blog, I often get asked questions that don’t neatly fit into other categories. Today, we’re focusing on a fundamental one: What’s the best document to use when starting the rough draft of your ancestor’s story?
What Documents Help You Start Writing Family Histories?
Everyone’s family story is unique, so it’s no surprise that there are a lot of opinions on this topic. One of my viewers, Pauline, said it beautifully: "I would start with a source that is interesting to me because then I would be more likely to see it through."
That’s a fantastic way to think about it. Writing your family history should feel engaging, and starting with something that sparks your interest is a great motivator.
Personally, I often begin with the earliest record I can find about a person. For example, if I have a birth or baptism record, that’s where I’ll start. But remember—drafting the story and finalizing it are two very different stages! Drafting is about getting ideas down, not about perfection.
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Choosing the Right Approach: Draft Now, Edit Later
When it comes to the structure of your story, you can experiment with different techniques. You could:
Start in the middle and use flashbacks.
Use the inverted pyramid style, which is common in newspapers, where you start with the most important events and work backward.
Focus on key milestones, like marriage, military service, or migration.
Many people shy away from starting at the very beginning because, let’s face it, very few of our ancestors have thrilling birth stories! On the other hand, some might find an obituary a perfect starting point, and that’s okay too. The key is to get started.
This video is part of the Tiny Tip Tuesday series.
My Favorite Example: A Marriage That Defied Expectations
With my German immigrant ancestor, I decided to start his story with his marriage. He was Catholic, and he married a Lutheran. This might not seem groundbreaking today, but at the time, it was a significant detail. One of my favorite documents shows that he gave his wife permission to continue worshiping in her faith. I love that story because it highlights their love and respect for each other’s beliefs.
I could have chosen a different starting point. There’s also a document about their toddler’s tragic drowning, which is another major event in their lives. A Catholic priest wrote about the incident, offering both chastisement and comfort to the grieving parents. That moment could easily serve as the opening for their story, depending on the emotional tone I wanted to set.
So, What’s the “Best” Starting Document?
The truth is, there’s no single best document to start with. It all depends on what resonates with you as a storyteller. For my ancestor William James Townsen, the earliest record I found was the 1860 census, where he appears as an 18-year-old. For another ancestor, I might have started with a marriage record or even a will.
What about you? Do you have a favorite document you start with when writing your family history? Maybe there’s a source you find particularly challenging? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Let’s Talk!
Share in the comments below—what document do you prefer to start with and why? Or let me know which documents you find the most difficult to begin with. Let’s get the conversation rolling!
If you’re looking for more in-depth tips on crafting the perfect opening for your family history, head over to the Write Your Family History YouTube channel! There, you’ll find techniques, inspiration, and examples of how others have tackled the challenge of capturing and preserving their ancestors' stories. Don’t miss out—subscribe today and start building your family’s narrative with confidence!
