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Sharing your story online

Creating a blog or digital family history

Our lives are full of stories – from childhood adventures and career highlights to family milestones and global travel. Preserving those memories not only keeps them alive for future generations, but also allows others to connect with your experiences. In today’s digital world, creating a blog or online family history is an accessible, rewarding way to share your journey.

Why go digital?

Unlike a printed scrapbook or photo album, a blog or digital family history can be updated anytime, accessed anywhere, and shared with relatives near and far. It’s also less vulnerable to damage or loss – your memories can be backed up securely in the cloud. Plus, you can combine text, photos, audio and even video to tell your story in rich, engaging ways.

Getting started

Begin by deciding on your focus. Will your blog capture your personal memoirs, your family tree or a mix of both? Will it be public for all to enjoy or private for invited family members only?

For blogs, platforms like WordPress, Blogger and Wix are popular and beginner-friendly. For family history, sites such as Ancestry, MyHeritage and FamilySearch offer tools to build and share family trees, upload photos and record stories. Many of these services have free options to get you started.

Tips for success

  • Start small – You don’t need to write your life story in one go. Begin with a single memory or event.

  • Use images – Photos bring your words to life. Scan old prints or include recent snapshots.

  • Keep it authentic – Write in your own voice, as if chatting with a friend.

  • Protect privacy – Avoid sharing sensitive personal details about living relatives without their permission.

  • Engage your audience – Ask family to contribute stories, correct dates or share their own memories.

Preserving your work

Even digital records need safeguarding. Back up your blog or family history regularly to an external drive or cloud storage service. Consider printing a physical copy every few years for posterity.

The rewards

Beyond preserving memories, creating a blog or digital family history can strengthen family connections, spark conversations and help younger generations understand their heritage. For you, it’s a chance to reflect on your life, celebrate achievements and leave a meaningful legacy.

So why not start today? Your story is uniquely yours – and once shared, it can inspire, educate and bring joy for many years to come.