Field guides
How-tos for better family stories
Practical editorial guidance for interviewing loved ones, recording clearly, and turning loose memories into a printed keepsake.
19 guides
50 journaling prompts for self-discovery and family memories
Fifty journaling prompts for self-discovery in five parts: values, early memories, relationships, change and family stories. Write privately, skip anything and share only what you choose.
75 journaling prompts for everyday life, memories and decisions
Browse 75 writing prompts by topic: starting an entry, noticing the day, remembering, considering decisions and relationships. Choose one and leave out anything you do not want to explore.
Anniversary reflection questions for a one-page yearly record
A one-page anniversary record to fill in together each year: six reflection prompts, a fictional example and how to keep the pages over the years.
Celebration of life ideas, with ways for everyone to share a story
Celebration of life ideas for the venue, music, slideshow, readings, food, children and a memory table, plus quiet ways guests can share a story without speaking.
Christmas gifts for grandparents: timing, distance, group gifts
Christmas gifts for grandparents, with 2026 mailing dates, ideas for giving across distance, a family group gift and things to do at the gathering.
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Cultural heritage story workbook
A workbook for recording your family's traditions, language and migration stories, with fill-in pages for each tradition, phrase and journey.
Eulogy examples and how to write a personal tribute
Two complete fictional eulogies for a parent and a grandparent, opening lines by relationship, a step-by-step writing process and a guide to how many words fit your speaking time.
Family heirlooms: examples and how to record their stories
Identify family heirlooms, from recipe cards to jewelry. Record who owned each object, distinguish memories from facts and keep the story with it.
Family reunion storytelling activities everyone can choose from
Six family reunion storytelling activities, from a photo table and paired conversations to a recipe table and a map of family places, with participation kept optional.
Grandparent birthday gift ideas for 70th, 80th and 90th birthdays
Ideas for a grandparent's milestone birthday: a family letter round, a memory table at the party, a book of their birth year and ways guests can add to it.
Grandparent gift ideas: what to give grandma or grandpa
Gift ideas for grandparents by situation: far away, in assisted living, limited mobility, not into tech or wanting nothing. Rough costs included.
How to interview a family member about their life
A seven-step way to ask a relative for an interview, prepare questions, record the conversation and save it with their permission.
How to make a family history book, from scope to printed copy
Plan a family history book that relatives can follow: choose a scope, map chapters, label sources, check facts, then lay it out and print it.
How to preserve family memories, from files to stories
Choose a first family-memory project, keep the originals and their context, make backups, and decide what to share or turn into a book.
Legacy letter template for values, memories and personal wishes
A fill-in legacy letter template, a fictional example and prompts for writing an ethical will that shares your values, memories and hopes.
Memorial gift ideas: what to give, to whom and when
Memorial and sympathy gift ideas from food and practical help to jewelry, trees, wind chimes, engraved pieces, donations and story keepsakes, with notes on timing and who each suits.
Memory book ideas to preserve family stories
Memory book ideas for a baby, wedding, retirement, memorial, grandparent or someone living with dementia, with a six-step process and prompts for the stories behind the photos.
New grandparent gift ideas for first-time grandparents
Gifts for first-time grandparents: announcement gifts, a framed first photo, keepsakes with the year, a grandparent journal and gear for their home.
Recording voice notes of a family conversation on your phone
How to record a relative's stories on an ordinary phone: where to put it, how to test the sound, what to say about permission, and how to keep the file safe.
More ways to keep going
Discover guides, questions, and articles to help your family tell better stories.