How to Submit a Biography

Professional genealogists will tell you that, when first exploring your family history, it is best to start with yourself and work backward in time.

If you are just beginning your family exploration, write what you know. Perhaps you can write about your parents or grandparents. You may include photographs or documents such as copies of marriage licenses or birth announcements.

Do not be concerned if you are not a writer. I am a professional editor, and I will be pleased to work with you. If you do not want me to edit your work, that is fine, too. The important thing is to send information to this website.

Do not be concerned if you do not have all of the details of someone's life. The wonderful thing about the Internet is that web pages can be changed at a later date. Send what you have now, and we can always add to the story later.

Do be concerned about the facts. Every family has stories that have been embellished a bit over time. That is the nature of oral history. Try to stick to the facts whenever possible. If a story helps to "flesh out" or illustrate an ancestor's personality, go ahead and include it, but make sure you let your readers know that it is a passed-down story, not fact.

Please e-mail your stories to me and indicate if you would like the story edited. If so, you will be sent an edited version of your story before it is put online so that you can check it for accuracy.

Most of all, please have fun and enjoy your research. Your descendants will be very grateful for all of the hard work you are doing now.

Diane Davis Merkel