Using Creative Non-Fiction Writing in a Family History Book

I am in the process of writing my second family history book. In 1993, I was lucky to have many relatives still alive, especially those who knew their parents and grandparents who came to Canada from the former Galicia under the Austria-Hungarian Empire in 1897.

Now 31 years later, I am finding it difficult to write stories about my great grandparents and their children. Whenever I hear that an elder relative is still alive, I rush out to visit them.

On April 23, 2024, I watched the Ukrainian Genealogy Group – NCR (Ottawa) webinar on “Ghosts in a Photograph" by Myrna Kostash. I was so impressed with Myrna that I went out and purchased her book, “Ghosts in a Photograph: A Chronicle” by NeWest Press, 2022.
http://ukrainiangenealogygroup-ncr.org/WebinarRecordings.html

Creative nonfiction is a genre of writing that uses elements of creative writing to present a factual, true story. Creative Nonfiction is focused on reality, as it relies on research to render events as accurately as possible. It must be scrupulous in one’s attention to detail like a journalist. Creative nonfiction seems to be a perfect match with family history writing especially with the earlier generations of one’s family and gaps in history.

There are numerous online courses and articles; to help understand this process of writing. There are also examples of short creative nonfiction writing online. I find it exciting to learn how to write true stories in a compelling way.

With the 2024 Kalynchuk Family History book, I am combining genealogy facts and stories from the 1993 family history book with the literature review of numerous Ukrainian Canadian, Ukraine and Galicia history books, articles, and online sources. We are lucky that the first wave of Ukrainian settlers to Western Canada has been well documented.

I am also using ChatGPT, EditGPT and Grammarly. However, I know to be cautious with ChatGPT as it does make up false things. This is called “hallucination" so this is why everything needs to be double-checked. Thank goodness for new technology and a new writing genre to assist me.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Being an introvert and enjoying getting into the “zone”, I look forward to taking on this challenge to create wonderful stories about my ancestors to include in the 2024 Kalynchuk Family History book.

Resources:

A Complete Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-complete-guide-to-writing-creative-nonfiction

Examples of Creative Nonfiction: What It Is & How to Write It
https://selfpublishing.com/examples-of-creative-nonfiction/

Creative nonfiction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_nonfiction

How to Write Creative Non-Fiction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85nRfiHdV8

Ghosts in a Photograph: A Chronicle, Myrna Kostash
This book has won the 2024 Kobzar Book Award https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61238396-ghosts-in-a-photograph

Using Genealogy Standards and Applying for a Certified Genealogist Credential

My goal is to receive my Certified Genealogist credentials and a specialization in Ukrainian Canadian or East European, one day. I have purchased a couple of books and have started to check out the following organizations and resources. If you do not want to purchase books and materials, then consider looking for this information online or at your local library or through your local genealogy society.

Suggestions are to attend genealogy conferences, e.g., Roots Tech, webinars and courses, educational seminars and workshops, join genealogy organizations, subscribe to genealogy journals and magazines, check out your local archives, libraries, research centers, etc., network with fellow family historians, genealogists, librarians and archivists, volunteer, work on your own family research and genealogy, write a family history research article (case study) and submit it to a journal for peer review, join a study group, do pro-bono work to gain experience, interact on genealogy Facebook pages and discussion forums, join an association of professional genealogists then prepare and apply for Certification and/or Accreditation.

Unknown source

Five essential steps for accurate research:

1. Reasonably exhaustive research has been completed.

2. Each statement of fact has a complete and accurate source citation.

3. The evidence is reliable and has been skillfully correlated and interpreted.

4. Any contradictory evidence has been resolved.

5. The conclusion has been soundly reasoned and coherently written.

6. “The Genealogical Proof Standard isn’t a device per se,” says Ison, “but it’s a process that will help us to determine what we know, helps us decide what we want to learn, helps us explain our work to others, gives us confidence about the direction we’re going, is the basis for approaching difficult research problems using indirect evidence, and lastly, it helps us to feel secure and safe in our conclusions.”

The above is based off a book written by Christine Rose, entitled Genealogical Proof Standard: Building a Solid Case. https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/understanding-the-genealogical-proof-standard

The following organizations promote professional standards in genealogical research. They provide information about becoming a professional genealogist.

Board for Certification of Genealogists
https://www.bcgcertification.org/

International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen)
https://www.icapgen.org/

Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)
https://www.apgen.org/cpages/home

National Genealogical Society (NGS)
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/

The following website has an excellent summary of the standards and guidelines from the National Genealogical Society and the International Institute of Genealogical Studies.

Genealogical Standards and Guidelines - International Institute
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Genealogical_Standards_and_Guidelines_-_International_Institute

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Genealogy Standards Books:

Genealogy Standards, second edition revised, 2021
Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)
https://bcgcertification.org/product/genealogy-standards-2d-edition/

Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/mastering-genealogical-proof/

Genealogical Standards of Evidence: A Guide for Family Historians by Brenda Dougall Merriman
https://archive.org/details/genealogicalstan0000merr

Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Second Edition 2009, and Third Edition 2015, https://www.evidenceexplained.com/

Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian by Elizabeth Shown Mills, 1997
https://www.amazon.ca/Evidence-Citation-Analysis-Family-Historian/dp/0806315431/ref=sr_1_1


Articles and Videos:

Are You Ready to Become a Professional Genealogist?
Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)
https://www.apgen.org/cpages/are-you-ready

Becoming a Professional Genealogist
National Genealogical Society (NGS)
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/free-resources/becoming-a-professional-genealogist/

Thinking About Becoming a Professional Genealogist? by Crista Cowan, Ancestry – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwMIVt4e1qQ

Becoming a Professional Playlist – Just Genealogy by Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlUfNNfhGu_Yc5autzobj8xu9eTafo96f

Code of Ethics and Professional Practices - Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)
https://www.apgen.org/cpages/code-of-ethics


Peer-Guided Study Groups:

ProGen Study Groups, Inc., Virtual course
https://progenstudygroups.com/

GenProof Study Groups, Inc., Virtual course
https://genproofstudygroups.com/

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Genealogical Studies Courses:

Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research
15-week online, non-credit course
https://genealogyonline.bu.edu/certificate

Review of the above BU course:
https://genesandroots.com/2019/01/04/my-review-of-the-b-u-certificate-in-genealogical-education-course/

NGS American Genealogical Studies Course
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/genealogy-courses/
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/advskills/

International Institute of Genealogical Studies
https://genealogicalstudies.com/

You can also take some intermediate-level courses at the following institutes.

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)
https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/

Institute on Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR)
https://ighr.gagensociety.org/

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)
https://slig.ugagenealogy.org/index.php


Genealogy Beginner Courses:

Introduction to Family History Research by Udemy
https://www.udemy.com/course/introduction-to-family-history-research/

Tracing Your Family Tree courses
Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS) and Edmonton Branch
Saturday, May 11, In the Beginning, Organizing Your Family History
Saturday, June 8, Finding Metis and Indian Ancestors, French Ancestors in Canada and Beyond
Saturday, June 22, DNA Detective - DNA
https://www.edmontongenealogy.ca/events