My 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.
PROCESS:
4-6 recorded hourly interviews in your Berkeley/Oakland home or via Zoom
Guided interviews to uncover what is most important to express
I handle the writing and editing
The storyteller has the chance to revise
I handle photo scanning and integration, and book layout and design
WHO IT’S FOR:
Seniors (65+) who want to finally preserve their family history
Adult children looking for a meaningful gift for their parent
Adult children who like the idea of a companion and historian for their parent
Those heading for 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.
Photo: Hillary Goidell
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.
PROCESS:
During our initial call, we’ll figure out your goals and what you want to accomplish.
We’ll meet in your Berkeley/Oakland home or via Zoom
You’ll tell me the stories you want to be remembered and shared.
With permission, these conversations can be recorded or documented for loved ones.
In person: Those living in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas.
Zoom: Anywhere in the U.S.
WHO IT’S FOR:
Seniors (65+) who want to express themselves in a lasting way to their family members
Those facing a serious health diagnosis
People who are estranged or working through family conflict
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.
THE PROCESS
2-3 recorded hourly interviews in your Berkeley/Oakland home or via Zoom
Guided conversations to uncover what is most important to express.
I handle photo scanning, layout, and design
WHO IT’S FOR
Seniors (65+) who want to express themselves in a lasting way to their family members
Those facing a serious health diagnosis
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.
WHAT YOU GET:
Support completing projects
Companionship and connection
PROCESS:
During our initial call, we’ll figure out your goals and what you want to accomplish
We might organize photos, sift through writings, read saved letters, or whatever is meaningful
With permission, these conversations can be recorded or documented for loved ones.
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.
The Story Behind The Picture
WHAT:
WHAT YOU GET:
Professional writing and editing
A 5-10 page story that explains the history behind a photo of your choosing
Audio recordings of interviews + video of you reading the story out loud
Professional design and binding
2 beautifully printed copies of the story + photo
PROCESS:
During an initial call, we’ll figure out your goals and what you want to accomplish.
The storyteller chooses a photograph of a person or people who are important to them, which becomes a launching point for history and memories. We spend two hours of relaxed, unhurried conversation.
With permission, these conversations can be recorded or documented for loved ones.
In person: Those living in Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Kensington, San Francisco and surrounding areas.
Zoom: Anywhere in the U.S.WHO IT’S FOR:
Seniors (65+) who want to express themselves in a lasting way to their family members
Those facing a serious health diagnosis
People who are estranged or working through family conflict
TIMELINE: 2-hour session
INVESTMENT: $350
WHY DO IT?
When a person is gone, their stories too often go with them. This service allows you to use a photograph as a launching point to remember and document meaningful experiences to preserve and pass along.
Backstory Workshops
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.
“How to Create a Legacy Letter” - A four-week workshop on how to write, dictate, or create a deeply meaningful letter to eave for your loved ones to share your values, hopes, and dreams.
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.
PROCESS:
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