January always feels like a quiet reset for me. Not a dramatic overhaul—just a chance to take stock, clear a little space, and set myself up for the year ahead. Why January Starts with a Spreadsheet For my family history work, that reset almost always starts with a spreadsheet. I genuinely love spreadsheets. I love the order they bring to my research, the way they let me see everything at once, and the calm that comes from knowing I can…
My 2026 Monthly Family History Challenges One of the questions I hear most often is, “Where do I even start?” And honestly? I’ve asked myself that same question more times than I can count. Family history often feels bigger than we expect—full of unfinished threads and quiet pressure to do more. I created these monthly challenges to slow that feeling down. They’re not a checklist, but a rhythm: one small focus each month, taken at an unhurried pace. I built…
Finding Family in Old Holiday Letters Every December in the late 1800s, newspapers across America printed pages of “Dear Santa” letters—tiny time capsules written in crooked handwriting, full of wish lists, hopes, and sometimes heartbreak. For genealogists, these little notes are far more than Christmas nostalgia. They’re unexpected sources of family history. In one 1895 issue from Snow Hill, Maryland, the editor regretfully explains that some children’s letters arrived too late to print. You can feel the sting of disappointment…
After creating books with multiple platforms—some easy, some frustrating, some downright limiting—there is one that consistently stands out as the clear winner for me: Storied.Hands down. As someone who loves to write family stories, organize family archives, and create books that feel intentional and complete, Storied gives me the most flexibility, the best tools, and the most seamless overall experience. Here’s what makes it the platform I return to again and again. The Companion App: A Game-Changer One of my…
A Frustrating Journey from Start to Finish After trying multiple family story platforms over the years, I’m no stranger to learning curves, quirks, and the occasional hiccup. But my experience creating a book with Remento was, unfortunately, one of the most frustrating I’ve had. I always go into these projects with optimism—I love making family history books, and I’m always eager to explore new tools. But from the moment I placed my order, the road ahead was rocky. The Trouble…
I love to write family history books. Love it. I’ve written quite a few over the years, each with its own personality and purpose, and I’ve experimented with several book-making companies along the way. Every platform has its quirks—some delightful, some frustrating—and I’m always curious to see how each one handles the delicate balance of storytelling, design, and usability. For this post, I’m sharing my personal experience with Storyworth. If you’re considering using it for your own family story project,…