Genealogy Reporting

[kellysmith]

Hi Everyone,

I'm researching my friends family for her but not sure how to report it.  I've got reports/charts etc from my family tree maker but wondering how other people present their findings.  Do any of you know any samples/templates online?

Any ideas or things that you think I should or shouldn't do then please let me know.  I am including things such as parish registers (birth & marriage), census returns etc.  I am looking at doing paid research in the future so I would like it to look professional.

Many thx,
Kelly x

[Braindead]

I'm sure you will get many replies offering many different ways of writing up your family history, all of which are equally valid, so you'll have to choose one that suits you personally. For me, I like writing a narrative account, annotated where apprpriate. Having said that, I'm not sure how practical that approach would be  if you're considering becoming a professional genealogist.
As far as FTM goes, the latest version of their "Smart Stories" is much better than the earlier versions - Have you tried that?

[kellysmith]

Many thanks for your reply.

I've not heard of their Smart Stories...is it on the program or a separate one? I think I'm running FTM 09 so not a new one 

I suppose I want to give a professional look so that when my friend's mum gets it for her birthday she'll be really impressed!! Just not sure whether to do all documents from the maternal side then paternal or more in generations??

[Braindead]

Not sure if "SmartStories" is in FTM 2009 - in FTM 2012 it can be found under "Publish" then "Other".

As to what to include, it depends on a lot of things. Is it a surprise? If not then I'd ask your friend's mum what she'd like to know. If it is a surprise, is there any way your friend can go "fishing" to try and find out?
 
Are there any family stories or legends you are trying to clear up - if so, I'd definitely include them. Do take care though , especially with "black sheep" - what you find interesting and exciting may cause upset e.g. there are certain stories about an ancestor that I won't publish to avoid hurting certain members of the family.

As to how to decide on layout I tend to do one line at a time and one generation at a time working from the past towards the present day. Do take care with the information you include about living people though, some may not be happy about being included.

I also tend to start with those individuals / families I know most about and work towards those I know less about.  I tend to avoid too much about non-ancestral lines unles there's a good story to be told.

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Kelly,

As Braindead says

I'm sure you will get many replies offering many different ways of writing up your family history, all of which are equally valid, so you'll have to choose one that suits you personally.

Here are a few more ideas for you to consider
Topic: RootsChat Topics: Organising and Presenting your Family History
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,158638.0.html

There is no *ONE* way of doing it, and your way may end up as a mixture of bits you like from some of the above.  Main thing is that you like the results 

regards,
Bob