After spending over a decade researching my ancestors I wanted to organize the information to share with my family and other genealogical researchers. Deciding to write a book was easy, but deciding how to present the information seemed an impossible task.
I tried using a basic tiered genealogy outline, but it was difficult and unenjoyable to read. It was impossible to branch off from one main bloodline in a way that wouldn’t confuse the reader. I then attempted to write a book more focused on pictures and stories, grouping families into chapters, but there was no concise and effective way to link family branches to each other. I used family tree illustrations, footnotes, and other notations to show how the families overlapped but it ended up a choppy, tangled mess.
There had to be a better way to organize a family genealogy book, one that could show family bloodlines while sharing the interesting details of my ancestors’ lives. I wrote draft after draft, tweaking and refining until I created a format that finally told my family story the way I felt it deserved to be told.
"Create a Family Genealogy Book Using the Hybrid Genealogy Format" shares the results of my efforts with those looking to document and preserve their family history. Using the Hybrid Genealogy Format to write your family history book will result in a well-organized work that is not only informative, but a pleasure to read. A book that will be treasured for generations to come.
This book can help you:
- Create and format your family tree
- Divide the branches of your family tree into sections and assign chapter numbers
- Develop an outline for your book
- Decide how to present information about your ancestors
- Learn how to style and format your book
Table of Contents:
PART 1
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 2 Formatting Your Family Tree Chart
Chapter 3 Dividing Your Tree Into Chapters
Chapter 4 Dividing Your Tree Into Sections
Chapter 5 Formatting Chapter Text Entries
PART 2
Chapter 6 Which Information to Include in Your Book
Chapter 7 Introduction Pages for Parts and Sections
Chapter 8 Adding Historical Context to Your Book
Chapter 9 Helping Readers Navigate Your Book
Chapter 10 Formatting Your Book for Publication
Appendix 1 Directions for Dividing a Complex Family Tree Chart into Chapters
Appendix 2 Practice Family Tree Charts to Divide into Chapters
Appendix 3 Sample Book Chapters Using the Hybrid Genealogy Format
Appendix 4 Blank Family Tree Chart Template