Keeping a family story notebook

A place for the words, moments, and stories you do not want to lose.

two people lying on pink mat in park — Photography for visual inspiration · roman ten / Unsplash

Editorial focus

Ask permission before publishing a family story.

Begin with the context

Explain who this story is for and the question it answers. Include the details a new reader needs, and distinguish your own observations from material supplied by another source.

Keep it practical

A checklist to make your own

Write down the routine or plan in your own words.
Add the information another person would need.
Keep contact details and private records somewhere appropriate.
Review the list when circumstances change.

Make the useful part easy to find

The reference section below is deliberately structured for scanning, keyboard use and printing. Edit the labels and details to fit the real story rather than retaining irrelevant example fields.

Leave the reader with a next step

Link to a relevant topic, a dated source or a related story. Give collaborators proper credit and keep private or unverified information out of a public demonstration.

Weekend journal

Leave a little room for together.

Outdoor moments, everyday rituals and stories from family life.

Family enjoying a picnic in a park — Cuong Duyen Ceramics / Unsplash

A happy family enjoying a picnic in a park — Cuong Duyen Ceramics / Unsplash

Illustrative photography, not evidence of the sample project, recipe or reported event.