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Have you got an exciting family history story to share?

From the lens The Best True-Life Family History Stories.

Several of you have shared some fascinating family history stories on my other genealogy lenses. I'd love to hear more!

  • vikksimmons Apr 27, 2012 @ 4:34 pm | delete
    Uh, why has this not been awarded a Purple Star? This is a wonderful page.
  • YayasHome Oct 10, 2011 @ 2:36 am | delete
    No amount of research or tracking down other peoples' lives can make us become like someone else. That said, I feel it is very important that we find our ancestors an' honor them by showing the family connection. For sure, there will be some skeletons in the closet, but it's important to keep in mind that we are all related, in the end. Still, keeping track of the family does not mean that we are good or evil because of our link to another person. By the same token, it does give us examples of what we do or do not want to become.
  • WordCustard Oct 10, 2011 @ 2:50 am | delete
    Thank you for such insightful comments, Yaya. Making links with the past can tell us more about our own lives, but you are right, we cannot live in reflected glory, nor is it hopeless to try to escape a less welcome legacy.
  • spikey64 Aug 16, 2011 @ 2:07 pm | delete
    I have thought of looking into my ancestry. Thanks for this lens it was really full of great resources.
  • alwaysjules Aug 1, 2011 @ 11:48 pm | delete
    Love your site. My work revolves around gathering stories inside of communities and turning them into performances. HIstory is not the only thing we get from these stories. Inside of them are the values, heritage and culture of the families and communties. I love how your site emphasizes these things. Nice work.
  • vallain May 28, 2011 @ 7:18 pm | delete
    I'm working on the third book with history and memories from my family. It is fortunate that so many of my ancestors kept diaries and saved letters.
  • huvalbd Apr 10, 2011 @ 2:50 pm | delete
    When my grandfather began losing his eyesight, we got a tape recorder and encouraged him to 'write' his memoirs. He did, and they are quite something. There are wonderful stories all over the family tree, many of which have been written down and shared among family--but some that were not captured that way, which we regret losing as people pass on. I agree, it's worthwhile to capture that family history before it's lost.
  • capriliz Feb 14, 2011 @ 3:48 pm | delete
    I have some new books to add to my reading list. ~blessed with a cupid kiss~
  • WordCustard Feb 15, 2011 @ 3:39 am | delete
    Thank you, much appreciated!
  • WorldVisionary Jan 19, 2011 @ 11:41 am | delete
    Great stories here and great presentation. Blessed by Squid Angel
  • WordCustard Jan 19, 2011 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
  • susannaduffy Oct 11, 2010 @ 5:58 am | delete
    You've convinced me! I must get the Secrets of the Notebook
  • WordCustard Oct 11, 2010 @ 6:48 am | delete
    I'm sure you will enjoy it, Susanna!
  • dc64 Jul 28, 2010 @ 3:43 pm | delete
    There is something about looking at old photos that I can't put into words very well. Entire lives with all the hopes and dreams that people still have today. Family histories and stories of love and courage that sometimes speak through these pictures. While I have no great family history story to tell, who knows what the future holds?
  • WordCustard Jul 30, 2010 @ 1:25 am | delete
    Fashions change, language too, but underneath people are still people. I'd love to know the stories of these individuals.
  • ShirlW May 10, 2010 @ 6:30 am | delete
    Very nicely done! I read Cane River several years ago. I think it's time for a re-read, it's an excellent book. Thanks for the lensroll on The Color Of Love, lenrolled you back!
  • WordCustard May 12, 2010 @ 4:04 am | delete
    It's quite an amazing book. I hope I get a chance to read The Color of Love too.
  • AppalachianCountry Feb 9, 2010 @ 10:49 am | delete
    Wonderful lens! 5* Extremely interesting and the pictures were great.
  • WordCustard Feb 9, 2010 @ 4:01 pm | delete
    Thank you for your kind comments!
  • d-artist Jan 29, 2010 @ 11:30 am | delete
    what a great lens...5*...love it! I don't know how I missed it..if you get a chance check out my lenses on family history.
  • WordCustard Jan 29, 2010 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    Well, Baroness, you were one of the inspirations behind this one! :) Thanks for visiting.
  • prosperity66 Jan 14, 2010 @ 9:52 am | delete
    Yeah! I enjoyed this page! I'm fond of history and this is entire part of my favorite topic!
    Congratulations on you being one of our winners!
    Squidangel blessings to the History of families!
  • WordCustard Jan 16, 2010 @ 9:34 am | delete
    I'm delighted to get a historian's seal of approval! Thank you for the congratulations, I didn't now about it before today. And thank you very much for the angel blessing too.
  • Sylvestermouse Jan 14, 2010 @ 9:42 am | delete
    Just stopped back by to say: Congratulations for being chosen top People lens in the Giant Squid Challenge! Angel Blessed and added to my Squid Angel Mouse Tracks lens.
  • WordCustard Jan 16, 2010 @ 9:33 am | delete
    Thank you, it was a lovely surprise! And thank you for the angel blessing and add to Mouse Tracks - another lovely surprise :)
  • OhMe Jan 1, 2010 @ 7:10 am | delete
    I love to read Family History Stories. You've done a great job on this lens and I am lensrolling to all the lenses in my Pendleton Memories Series and Our Tate Family Reunion lens.
  • WordCustard Jan 1, 2010 @ 9:12 am | delete
    Me too, nothing beats a story which you know actually happened! Thank you very much for the lensroll!
  • Wednesday_Elf Dec 14, 2009 @ 4:33 pm | delete
    I grew up knowing the maternal side of my family all came from Scotland, but didn't have a lot of history about my father's family, as he grew up in foster homes and I didn't know his side of the family. Dad once told me that his ancestors were English and Dutch and, he thought, a little bit of French, but he didn't know any details. It wasn't until 10 years ago that I heard from a distant relative I've never met some genealogy about my paternal ancestors and found out my paternal grandmother (whom I never knew) came from Quebec, Canada ... and THAT's where the French side came in. I found that small bit of information fascinating; now I can see why people get excited about genealogy. Interesting reviews here.
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:42 am | delete
    I agree, it quickly becomes an absorbing hobby and each discovery builds on the last... Thanks for stopping by!
  • JaguarJulie Nov 29, 2009 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    I know our family with the Eastern European heritage surely has a number of these family history stories -- I even heard a bit about Atilla the Hun of ALL people! Probably just another story.
  • WordCustard Dec 2, 2009 @ 12:53 pm | delete
    Wow.. Atilla the Hun.. now that would be something!
  • arncyn Nov 24, 2009 @ 12:02 pm | delete
    Very interesting lens! Thank you for the personalized book recommendations, i've been toying with the idea of uncovering my family's history too and reading Secrets of The Notebook like you suggested might give me the boost that I need.
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:40 am | delete
    Thank you Cynthia - and good luck with your own family history research!
  • BevsPaper Nov 18, 2009 @ 6:01 pm | delete
    Very interesting lens.
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:34 am | delete
    Thanks for the visit, Bev!
  • HorseAndPony Nov 16, 2009 @ 9:53 pm | delete
    This was a great lens. The books look very interesting. I need to get a write your own family history. My grandmother wrote so much about her life. I should organize it better. However, I agree with Sylvestermouse some things are better left in the past. My personal stories will forever go untold. :)
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:31 am | delete
    Thanks so much. Some stories are better untold, but I hope you record the stories of your grandmother and other ancestors for future generations.
  • bethd821 Nov 13, 2009 @ 6:52 pm | delete
    I agree with Crystal, the first book sounds very interesting. Great lens.
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:24 am | delete
    It was indeed a very interesting read. Thanks for stopping by!
  • Sylvestermouse Nov 12, 2009 @ 7:56 pm | delete
    I spent quite a while working on our family genealogy a few years back. I found out a lot of very interesting information and I found out it is better to leave a lot of things in the past. Some things I found would hurt too many people who are still living. Revealing the good would never be worth the bad revelations. I now keep the secrets:)

    Very interesting lens!
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:23 am | delete
    You make a very good point. Some secrets need to be kept. Thanks for commenting!
  • luvmyludwig Nov 12, 2009 @ 4:57 pm | delete
    I really want that first book! great job on this.
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:22 am | delete
    I hope you get hold of a copy. Thanks for reading. :-)
  • prosperity66 Nov 12, 2009 @ 1:35 pm | delete
    Ha! No, I'm sorry, I haven't one to share, they're kept secret ;)
    Anyway, you made a great lens!
    Dom.
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:20 am | delete
    Thanks for visiting, Dom!
  • Jewelsofawe Nov 12, 2009 @ 12:28 pm | delete
    Great lens! My grandmother gave me a photo album she made for everyone in the family with pictures going back as far as she had with people in the family. I only know as far back as my great great grandmother
  • WordCustard Dec 26, 2009 @ 11:21 am | delete
    You must be glad to have the memories to pass down the generations. Thanks for stopping by!

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WordCustard

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