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| Frequently
Asked Questions (& Answers!) Contact us so we can discuss your family's situation. |
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What is the
difference between a family tree
and a family history?
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A
family tree is a genealogy tool, used
to show the relationship between family members in different generations.
The family tree is often presented in
chart form for easy visual identification. Information contained in
a family tree includes people's names; as well as their dates of birth,
marriage, and death. A family history is more comprehensive than a family tree. The family history gives as much known information about the family as possible. The history gives the origins of the family's ancestors. The main portion of the family history consists of the family's stories — the adventures, the exploits, the trials and the triumphs. Colorful tales of ancestors and modern-day heroes and villians are told in family histories. Oral traditions and wisdom passed down through the generations live in family histories, preserved in writing for generations to come. A family history may include a family's tree, but the stories, photographs, and documents included in the history enliven the family's origins much more than a simple family tree. |
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How
long will it take to write my family's history?
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There
is no "clear-cut" answer to this question. Doing one's family history
consists of two major parts: research and writing. The research aspect
includes both gathering documents (birth, death and marriage certificates,
immigration papers, photographs), and interviewing family members.
Once a critical mass of information is obtained, the writing phase
of the project can begin. We recommend allocating at least a year for the research phase and six months for the writing phase, depending on the time requirements of the person(s) working on your family's history and how much research has already been done. If Aunt Mabel has been collecting the family's records for the past 25 years, the research phase will go faster because you already have the majority of the information in one place. If you're starting from "scratch," the process will take longer. Our experience shows that a well-researched manuscript usually takes three years from start to finish. |
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How much
will it cost to write my family's history?
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The
cost depends on how much of the work you do and how much of the work
we do. We encourage you to do the genealogical portions of the research
yourself, and let us help you with the interviewing and writing aspects. The cost also depends on how large your family is and how far back in time you want to go. Each family history we do is individually tailored to your family's special characteristics. The cost depends on the final product you want: a manuscript, a published book, or a CD. |
| Last
Updated: March 2001. Webmaster: Sociosights.com © copyright Debra L. Winegarten |
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