Frequently Asked Questions

Our Storykeeping programs are designed for anyone interested in preserving their family’s history, regardless of their writing skill level. Participants with varying levels of linguistic skills have successfully created beautiful family stories with our guidance. Our program focuses on capturing your unique voice and the essence of your family experiences, not on grammar or stylistic perfection. We help you document your stories in a way that feels natural and authentic, ensuring your family’s legacy is preserved in your words for your children, who will cherish “hearing” your voice and perspective in the story.

Many share the concern of not having gathered enough details from family members. However, you likely know more than you think. Significant experiences, familiar faces in photographs, and the stories behind those moments provide rich material for your family memoir. You don’t need exhaustive details to craft a meaningful narrative. Even a few pivotal moments can lay the foundation for a compelling story. The absence of certain details tells a powerful story of challenging life experiences that result in the loss of personal history. Our workshops focus on capturing the essence of your family, weaving together relatable stories that connect generations, and providing your children with a sense of rootedness in their family’s past.

We do not teach genealogy research in our workshops. Our programs are designed to help you narrate your family stories. While our facilitators offer guidance and suggest resources for those interested in researching their family history, we do not provide genealogical guidance or training.

In our workshops, Slices refer to short, manageable narratives that are no more than 2 pages long, double-spaced, in 12-point font. This format helps simplify the writing process by focusing your thoughts on one segment of the story at a time, enhancing clarity and depth. Each Slice is a building block, contributing to a cohesive and compelling family story that captures the essence of your loved ones’ lives in a clear and engaging way.

Start telling your family story one Slice at a time.

There is a wide range of topics you can explore that reflect the richness of your family’s history:

• Significant Life Events: Milestones such as births, marriages, education, career achievements, talents, and dedication to community service provide a solid foundation for any family story.
• Food Traditions: Share the origins and special memories associated with family recipes.
• Challenges and Triumphs: Narratives about overcoming adversity or celebrating major successes offer powerful insights into your family’s resilience, courage, and generational learning. Examples include injuries, illnesses, losses, relocations, financial issues, divorces, natural disasters, and other life-changing events.
• Historical Events: Experiences during significant historical events such as the Holocaust provide an understanding of a significant force that shaped your family’s life.
• Family Heirlooms: Specific items like photographs, jewelry, or other physical objects help uncover deeper stories about your family’s past.
• Significant Family Places: Explore stories about the places that hold special meaning to your family, whether it’s your ancestral homeland, a favorite vacation spot, a historic place, or simply the home or community you grew up in.
• Health Histories: Discuss mental or physical conditions that have been significant to your family and provide crucial information for future generations along with familial coping strategies.
• Immigration/Emigration: Chronicle the journey of your parents or grandparents moving to a new country, from life in the “old country” to adapting to a new culture. These stories have the power to foster understanding and connection within your family.

Get started on your family’s story today!

Rather than feeling pressure to choose between family members, see this as an opportunity to focus on one family story at a time while learning how to write as many family stories as you like! You’re not just writing a person’s story; you’re also learning the Storykeeping method which will enable you to continue writing family stories, more quickly than you’d expect. Our focus is creating short, shareable stories, so it doesn’t take long to find your narrative rhythm.

We suggest that you begin with the family member’s story that feels most accessible. In just a few weeks, you’ll have crafted several Slices, transformed them into a meaningful family story, and likely found the process to be rewarding and enriching. This experience will boost your confidence and enhance your skills, equipping you to tackle stories that may have seemed daunting or overwhelming just a short time ago.

Yes, collaborating on family memoirs enriches the family narrative with diverse perspectives and fosters a richer, multi-faceted story. Sharing “Slices” in the workshop setting not only facilitates meaningful family discussions that might never have otherwise occurred, but also brings relatives together in a shared purpose, adding a new dimension to their bond. This collaborative effort broadens awareness about family dynamics, providing a deeply-rewarding and life-changing experience for all participants. Observing family members beyond your personal experience — whether as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, brother, sister, son, or daughter — offers a fuller, more nuanced understanding of their individual lives and contributions.

Here are some examples of how family members have collaborated in our workshops:

• Siblings: Brothers and sisters team up to explore the lives of their grandparents or focus collectively on a parent’s life.
• Parent-Child: A mother and daughter delve into the life of their matriarch, exploring her roles as both mother and grandmother.
• Extended Family: An uncle and nephew collaborate on the story of the man who was both brother and father, enriching the nephew’s understanding of his father’s life.
• Rotating Family Contributions: Brothers participate in workshops at different times, each contributing a story of one of their parents.

Enroll now with a family member and weave together your stories in our next workshop!

At the conclusion of an 8-week workshop or 6-8 weeks of One-on-One consulting sessions, you will have completed the key elements of your family story, compiling 6-7 “Slices” into a cohesive narrative spanning 7-14 pages. These Slices will have been written in Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Our final session provides detailed guidance on structuring your Slices and adding a beginning and an end to your story. Only then do we recommend sharing what you’ve written with your family.

Here are several ways our participants have successfully shared the stories they’ve created after the workshop:

• Share The Written Document: Participants often read their story aloud at family gatherings or through online sessions using platforms like Zoom, reaching family members throughout the country and across the globe. They typically follow up by distributing either a physical hard copy or a digital copy via email or cloud services such as Dropbox. Some opt for professional binding at a local print shop with a custom cover page, or simply place the story in a folder or document sleeve.
• Multimedia Presentations: Adding visual elements can significantly enhance your narrative. Consider assembling a PowerPoint presentation incorporating photographs, maps, and other relevant imagery. This format is ideal for both in-person and virtual presentations, and including these visuals in the printed version can enrich the overall story.
• Self-Publishing Books: With a little more effort and for a more permanent preservation, some participants choose to self-publish their family story as a book. This allows for an elegant display at home and sharing with a wider circle of family and friends. Modern self-publishing options offer professional-quality production at a reasonable price, providing a valuable alternative to more costly personal historian services.
• Educational Material: Particularly for families whose stories highlight significant historical events such as Holocaust experiences, sharing in educational settings may be an essential reason for writing your family story. Once the family narrative is written, adapting it for educational purposes can be straightforward. The materials created for your family, like PowerPoint presentations or books, are invaluable for assembling a public talk and make the transition to educational settings seamless.

Our workshops equip you with all necessary tools to craft these narratives. If you need further assistance in producing books or detailed presentations, our website offers resources, and we provide One-on-One consulting services, to help you achieve your sharing goals.

We understand that your time is valuable and that you have a busy schedule, so our 8-week workshop is designed with this in mind. You’ll need to dedicate at least 90 minutes each week to your story development work at home. However, to get the most out of our workshop, we recommend allocating 2-3 hours between sessions. Participants from various life stages and with diverse commitments have found our process manageable and have successfully captured and preserved their family stories.

To participate effectively in our workshops, you’ll need a basic level of computer literacy. This includes being familiar with the following essential skills and tools:

1. Zoom: Being able to use Zoom for online video conferencing is crucial. This includes knowing how to download and update to the latest version of the software, and understanding basic functions like joining a meeting, turning on your video, and using the chat feature.
2. Word Processing: You should be familiar with word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You’ll need to be able to create and format documents—specifically, documents that are double-spaced and in 12-point font—and be able to email your documents to your facilitator each week.
3. Accessing Workshop Materials: Each week, you will need to access various materials that are stored in a password-protected area of our website. This includes downloading homework, accessing links to relevant websites, and watching online videos.
4. General Internet Usage: This includes navigating websites, using email effectively, and downloading and installing applications as needed.

If you feel unsure about any of these skills, or if you’re concerned about your ability to participate due to technology issues, please contact us. We can help assess your readiness for our workshops and provide resources or suggestions to improve your computer skills to ensure you get the most out of your Storykeeping experience.

If you’ve ever participated in a program on Zoom, joining our online workshops is pretty straightforward, but here are a few tips to ensure you have a seamless experience:

1. Download the Latest Version of Zoom: Make sure you have the most recent version of Zoom installed on your device. You can download it from the Zoom website. After installing, a system reboot may be necessary to ensure the software functions correctly. If you have any trouble, Zoom’s support site offers troubleshooting tips.
2. Device Recommendations: For the best workshop experience, we recommend using a laptop, desktop, or tablet. These devices generally offer stable internet connections and larger screens, which are better for interactive sessions. Additionally, consider installing the Zoom app on your smartphone as a backup, just in case you encounter any issues with your primary device.
3. Camera and Audio Setup: A functioning camera and microphone are essential, as our workshops are interactive. Please check that your device’s camera and mic are working before the session starts.
4. Internet Connection: A stable and strong internet connection is crucial for participating in video conferences without interruptions. If you’re having trouble with your connection’s stability, perhaps other devices in your home are using large amounts of bandwidth. This includes streaming services, large downloads, or other high-demand applications. Close down other devices while you are in the workshop to ensure a stable connection.
5. Joining the Workshop: You will receive a Zoom link prior to the workshop. Click this link a few minutes before the workshop begins to make sure everything is working correctly.
6. Interactive Participation: Be prepared to engage! Our workshops are interactive, and participation will enhance your experience. Familiarize yourself with Zoom’s features like muting/unmuting and video on/off to engage comfortably during the session.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy and fully participate in our workshops.

Our workshops are designed as small group experiences to ensure personalized attention and a supportive environment. The number of participants can vary depending on the specific workshop, but typically we work with no more than 10 participants at a time. This size allows for meaningful interaction and collaboration among attendees, enhancing the overall learning and storykeeping experience.

We encourage full attendance to gain the most from live discussions, but understand that scheduling conflicts may occur. Please note that we do not record sessions to protect the privacy of personal stories shared. If you miss a session, you won’t fall behind. We provide detailed guidance each week for work at home, ensuring you can keep up with the workshop even if you miss a live session.

We understand that plans can change, and we strive to be as accommodating as possible. Here is our refund policy for workshop cancellations:

• Full Refund: If you cancel your registration more than 14 days before the start date of the workshop, you are eligible for a full refund.
• Partial Refund: If you cancel within 7-14 days of the workshop start date, you will receive a 50% refund.
• No Refund: Unfortunately, if you cancel less than 7 days before the workshop begins, we are unable to offer a refund.

This policy helps us manage our resources and planning effectively while still offering flexibility to our participants. We recommend that you consider your availability carefully before registering to ensure that you can fully participate and benefit from our workshops. If unforeseen circumstances arise, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.

We recognize that sorting through a vast array of family materials can be overwhelming. There’s no need to organize and review everything before starting our workshops. If time permits, skim through what you have. Once you begin writing, you’ll better understand what you know, what’s missing, and what you need to find out. This approach not only gives purpose to your research, but also simplifies the process of sifting through your materials.

Ready to preserve your family’s legacy? Join our workshop waitlist!