You’ve done the hard part: you’ve written something. Maybe it’s a collection of family stories, a memoir, a transcription of oral histories, or a deeply personal reflection. Now you’re wondering: What’s next? How do you take this raw material and turn it into something lasting—something that will be read, cherished, and preserved for generations? As …
What I Learned by Doing a Pilot Project – Nancy Burkhalter
When I started out as a personal historian, all the old pros told me, “Do a pilot project. You won’t regret it.” So, I dutifully set out to find a willing subject. I guess I took the assignment too literally because I did find a pilot who had transitioned smoothly from being a Vietnam wartime …
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Reliquary for the Common Man
by Jeanne Quan Reliquary – “a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept” Dateline: March, 1970 Set the Scene: Village of Chauncey,Ohio (427 acres), foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, just a few twisting miles from Ohio University. Players: John (21) and Jeanne (22) Eckrich The couple, newly married as of December, 1969 rented their …
Recording and Transcription Suggestions
Personal Historian/Interviewer: Recording Quality:Quiet environmentKeep in mind that background noise such as rustling papers and/or music/radio interfere with sound quality. The interviewer should refrain from speaking over the interviewee even with minor terms of understanding like “aha” and “ohhh” terms.Limited number of intervieweesPut a microphone on all interviewees and try to discourage them from talking over …
What Is HOME? Three Personal Historians On A Path To Discovery
Three personal historian members of PHNW pandemic quest for home in print, art, photos, books and cross country journeys.
Something is Better Than Perfection
By Gloria Nussbaum Travel back with me to the 1980s or 90s. The phone rings, the one attached to the wall without a camera, a voice says, “It’s been a long time since we were in touch and you were on my mind.” You know immediately that it’s your best friend from high school to …
Personal History as Therapy
by Maia Fischler Recording and writing our life stories is powerful therapy. It can create order from a jumble of memories, helping us see and understand the forces that have shaped us. Dr. Teri Friedman is a psychologist in Rye Brook, NY, and a strong believer in the therapeutic effects of writing. Teri Friedman, PhD, …
Resource Overview Genealogical Forum Of Oregon
Connie Lenzen Portland, Oregon has a library you want to check out and take advantage of – the Genealogical Forum of Oregon, the largest genealogical library in the Pacific Northwest. In 2014, I began a Personal Historian business. Gerry Lenzen, whom I knew through our mutual involvement in the Portland State Athletic Department Booster program, …
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History Invites Journals Related To The Great Pandemic of 2020
Generations from now Americans will look back and wonder what it was like being part of the momentous events swirling around us in 2020. The Great Pandemic of 2020 resulted in millions of people getting sick with the COVID-19 virus and hundreds of thousands of deaths. What was it like trying to stay healthy and …
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Personal Historians NW “In The News”
Three members of Personal Historians NW appeared in the Portland Tribune and several other Pamplin Media outlets in the Portland Metro area on June 11, 2020. "Capturing Your Life Stories" personal historian Connie Shipley submitted a story idea to Pamplin, a tip that was picked up by local journalist Jason Vandersmith. The reporter reached out …
Why would you want to write your life story?
You may have had friends suggest that you write your biography and think to yourself, “Who would want to know my story? I just lived my life and it wasn’t that exciting.” What you may find is that, once you get started, your life is a lot more interesting in the retelling and you will …
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Maia Fischler and Cheryl McLean, Life Writer Personal Histories
Life Writer, Capturing the Stories That Connect the Generations Getting to Completion By Maia Fischler, LifeWriter Personal Histories When I met Dianna Hanson, she had been working on her manuscript for over a year without really believing she'd ever manage to publish it. She had enjoyed the writing process, and she was excited to pass …
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Personal Historians Network West 