Creating A Family History Book For A Birthday Gift

For my mother-in-law's 91st birthday I created a book about the history of her life, so far.

I sent the text up to Lulu.com on line Monday evening. Eight days later it arrived through my letterbox. Five working days.

A day after the birthday - I'd hoped it would be quicker. Previously I'd sent a text off on Saturday night and received the finished book by Thursday. Four working days.

The minimum size of a book is 68 pages. That's 68 sides plus cover. 34 bound sheets. It's still a very slim booklet. I had only about 10,000 words of text. So I divided it into about 40 subjects and put each one on a new page. Some sections ran over a couple of pages. I opened with a pieces on our family surnames and ancestors. Some sections ran over two or more pages. I added a few extra pages: Title page, Contents; lists of photos, contacts, list of favourite resaurants.

Pearl was absolutely amazed by the book. It's quite surprising and impressive to write your own memoirs, to see them in print, even with the help of a ghost writer. When you have it done for you, and you are not world famous, it is even more impressive. She was amazed at the amount of information I put in the book.

We take her out to dinner every weekend. I'd been asking her about different members of her family every mealtime. I would write notes in my diary under the table or dash off to the toilet and write it on a scrap of paper, then type it up when I got home.

Some of was originally written into a Family History book I bought from the hospital trolley in the maternity ward when my son was born. I've been updating it ever since. I wish I'd written more.

I sent the text only version off to the printers in a hurry to have it ready for the birthday. Later I added the photos.

I am now waiting for the illustrated version to arrive. It was despatched by Lulu.com, according to the email they sent me at lunchtime today. I had only two copies printed.

After she has read her text version and given me feedback, I shall be able to update it for an even better version.

I now want to do more. My late parents. Myself. My son.

Then I shall be able to offer it as a service to other people.