Family History: Book or Website?
A family history comes to life when the sources, narrative, and presentation all come together. Whether a book, a website, or both is the best approach depends on the target audience, scope, data protection, and desired reach.
FIRST, DEFINE THE GOAL
Should the result be shared within the family, made publicly available, or used for scientific purposes? A clearly defined target audience determines the tone, scope, choice of images, and technical format.
BOOK: LASTING AND TANGIBLE
A book is ideal for self-contained stories, anniversaries, and as a gift. It requires a well-thought-out content plan, print-ready images, carefully written captions, and an index. Small print runs can be produced to a high standard today, but making corrections later is time-consuming.
WEBSITE: EXPANDABLE AND LINKABLE
A website can be updated on an ongoing basis and combines biographies, locations, timelines, images, audio, and video. It requires clear navigation, regular technical maintenance, and an access control system for sensitive content.
MAKING SOURCES TRACEABLE
Every publication benefits from precise source citations. Note the call number, owner, date of creation, and copyright information directly as you process the document. Captions should explain who or what is depicted and why the document is relevant.
RIGHTS AND PRIVACY
Verify the privacy rights of living individuals, copyrights for photographs, and terms of protection. Private letters, medical information, and financial documents should not be included in a public publication without verification.
A PRAGMATIC PROCESS
Define the target audience and scope.
Develop the core narrative and chapter structure.
Select, transcribe, and describe sources.
Clarify rights and label sensitive content.
Combine text, images, and design.
Proofread, test, and back up permanently.
COMBINE THE BOOK AND THE WEBSITE
Often, a combination is ideal: The book preserves the condensed history, while the website provides access to additional sources, updates, and multimedia content. Both versions should be based on the same organized archive and consistent metadata.
Annette Schindler provides support ranging from reviewing archival materials to transcription and image selection, all the way through to a structure ready for publication.
