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YOUR BOOK IDEAS    DOING A MINI HISTORY TO GET STARTED  

BEGIN WITH ONE STORY    TOPICS TO CONSIDER    ABOUT THE AUTHOR/S

Preserving history has become a national endeavor. It captures the past and present into a permanent record, no matter what changes may come in the future. Historical Societies, Colleges, Towns, and other groups are realizing the importance of creating written histories that document its endeavors and its heritage. The birth of the group, the people involved, its development, decisions, and plans for the future are of importance to current and future members.

Deciding to write a history is an important beginning. Many groups begin such a project not yet knowing what they will do with it when completed. Time and effort are spent creating this material, and many questions arise. As a publisher of organization books, we answer hundreds of questions in our site.

Of vital importance to you is the new and ever changing computer technology that is directly connected to the printing world. What you do now in your computer will either open the door for many later choices – and with photos well presented  – or you will find your options very limited and frustrating. See About Photos & the entire Family Book Essentials section.

YOUR BOOK IDEAS

As you read, you will begin to formulate ideas of what you want to do, and how the organization might tell its story.

Some groups want a detailed history, and that can be a formidable task if assigned to one person. Perhaps the most difficult part of beginning such a book is to obtain agreement from the members on what should be included. And it may be that the writer needs to put together several samples of how the book might proceed and the committee can vote.

Other groups fill a book with photographs and simply tell the how, why, when, and where of the people and events in the photos. And thus stories are woven together.

Some do a book filled with charts, documents, and include photos of the people involved, the geographical area, and buildings.

Other groups invites its members to write a few pages on a particular topic of which they are knowledgeable. To summarize, there is no one way such a book must be written; there are numerous ways to document the life of your group.

See writing examples from other organizations.

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DOING A MINI HISTORY TO GET STARTED

• When and where did the organization begin: day, month, year; city, state, country.

• What is the full legal name of the organization, and by what name is it commonly called.

• Does the organization have a building or regular meeting place.

• Who are the present officers and/or members.

• When did they join the group.

• Who were the early officers and members.

• Are these people still living.

• Has the organization always been in the same geographical location.

• Is it a profit or not for profit organization.

• What are the goals and purpose of the organization today.

• What were the goals and purpose the organization when it began.

• Are there other branches of the organization and where are they located.

• Are their goals and purposes the same as yours.

• Do you meet or communicate on a regular basis.

• Do you have regular "events" of any kind.

• What photos or documents exist related to the organization.

• How is the organization funded.

• Are there organization mascots.

• Are there special organization traditions.

• Did anyone keep a dairy or journal. Do you have it today.

• What other organizations are you affiliated with.

• What is the funniest story about your organization.

• Who performed various jobs within the group.

• Did the organization develop as everyone expected.

• What changes occurred that no one expected.

• How did society and its changing values affect the organization’s attitudes or goals.

• Describe the organization’s best achievement to this point.

• Describe its biggest disappointment.

• Which were the best years.

• What were the hardest years.

• What is the group’s political affiliation, if any, and why.

• What is the most unusual thing about your group.

• What do people say they like best about your group.

• What was a key turning point for your group.

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BEGIN WITH ONE STORY 

Think of one story or event you would like to tell and begin making notes. Include the following:

•WHO •WHAT •HOW •WHEN •WHERE •WHY

• Name the people and places involved, first and last names if possible. Spell their names if you know the spelling.

• Describe the event or occasion.

• Approximately what year did this happen.

• In what meeting place, town, county or state did it occur.

• What events led up to the experience.

• What were members trying to accomplish.

• What happened next as a result.

• Who else or what other circumstances were involved.

• What was the outcome.

• What did members think about the experience.

• What has come to pass as a result.

TOPICS TO CONSIDER

• Write about the official values and philosophies of the organization.

• Why were they chosen.

• Have they changed over the years, and why.

• What were the high and low points of the organization.

The following questions might be considered as you write about your members.

• Did they have special skills or abilities.

• How and to what degree did they influence the organization.

• Are there unique memories you wish to relate about them.

• Are there any special stories that characterize this member.

• What was their leadership style.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/S 

• Who are they and why are they writing the history.

• How much time have they spent working with the organization.

• Describe their background and experience.

• What is their educational and employment background.

• How are they involved in the organization.

Tell what it means to your organization to come from its particular background, the trials, hardships, successes, and experiences.

To read how to prepare your pages and photos, go to Family Book Essentials. And you may want to check out Easy Book.

If you have a question, you are welcome to use our Question Form and we will respond in two business days. And you are always welcome to call us: 1 800 360-5284

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