Family History Book and Life Story Services
I am a personal historian who offers human-centered professional services to make it simple to preserve life stories and family histories.
WHY DO IT?
Research shows that documented family histories boost resilience and health. In addition to a family heirloom, the process of writing down a family history can be transformative for the storyteller.
Family History Book
WHAT: A book that preserves your family history, starting at a point in time and tracing it chronologically forward.
WHO IT’S FOR:
Elders who want to finally preserve their family history
Adult children looking for a meaningful gift for their parent
Adult children who want a personal historian to document a parent’s life for their kids
Those celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary, or retirement
People facing a serious health diagnosis or memory loss
In person: Those living in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas. Zoom: Anywhere in the U.S.
WHY DO IT?
Storytelling and remembering invites self-reflection, connection, and a greater understanding of meaningful experiences that have shaped a life.
Story Collections
WHAT: A collection based on your most meaningful experiences and memories, all documented in one place to keep and to share.
WHO IT’S FOR:
Elders who want to express themselves in a lasting way to their family members
People who have essential life stories they want documented for future generations
Those who want to reflect and understand the moments that have shaped them
People who want to reflect on the common threads running through their lives
The Story Behind The Picture
WHAT: One story, one photo. This tells the story of a meaningful photo or object that you would like to explore, and preserve.
WHO IT’S FOR:
People who want a beautiful gift to give to loved ones
Those with memory issues who is sparked by photos of people, places and things
In person: Those living in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas.
Zoom: Anywhere in the U.S.
WHY DO IT?
When a person is gone, their stories too often go with them. This allows you to use a photograph as a launching point to remember and document meaningful experiences to preserve in an impactful way.
Letters to Loved Ones
Photo: Hillary Goidell
WHY DO IT?
A letter to loved ones gives a person the chance to tell a loved one what you mean to them, what you are important, and to pass along your hopes, dreams, and values.
WHAT: A single letter, or a collection of letters, to expresses your values, shares your family history, and pass along your blessings and hopes to your loved ones.
WHO IT’S FOR
Seniors (65+) or those facing a serious health diagnosis who want to express themselves in a lasting way to their family members
People who are estranged or working through family conflict
People of any age doing estate planning
In person: Those living in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas. Zoom: Anywhere in the U.S.
Life Story Sessions
WHAT: Hourly sessions that provide seniors with focused time to tell stories, organize memorabilia, and document the history behind important objects.
WHO IT’S FOR:
Seniors (65+) who need help organizing their photos, stories, and objects
People facing a serious health diagnosis
Those doing estate planning and want to review their objects and heirlooms
Those who want stories and parts of their histories documented but don’t want to take on a large project like a book
In person: Those living in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas.
Zoom: Anywhere in the U.S.
WHY DO IT?
Many seniors crave companionship and someone to tell their stories to, while adult children worry about their isolation. Life Story Sessions offer elders meaningful company, a bright spot in their days, and the chance to reflect on a life well-lived.
Backstory Workshops
A NOTE ON ACCESSIBILITY:
My workshops are designed so that everyone can participate, including those who have difficulty writing due to mobility, physical, and verbal challenges.
No writing is required. We use a variety of approaches to help participants share and capture their stories, including verbal storytelling, partnered sharing, and dictation. I will always find a way to make it work. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let me know before registering.
WHY DO IT?
Connection, reflection, expression with peers and the chance to finally get your stories on the page.
WHAT: A group experience where people have encouragement and support to preserve stories about defining life experiences that have shaped them.
WORKSHOP EXAMPLES:
“Writing Your Life” - An ongoing class for seniors at community centers, or living in independent living, where they have time and space to reflect on the stories that shaped them, and finally capture them.
“Documenting The Stories That Matter” - A four-week session for seniors at community centers, or living in assisted living, memory care, tailored to those with limited abilities through discussion, dictation, and art.
“The Greatest Gift” - When people die, their stories go with them. This workshop for adult children of seniors gives them the knowledge and encouragement to start documenting the stories of their loved ones.
We’ll meet in person in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas.
We’ll talk, write if possible, share, explore other prompts and activities that spark memory and discovery.
TIMELINE: Usually classes last 4-8 weeks, dependent on enrollment and venue.
INVESTMENT: Dependent on number of sessions