How to Compile a Family History Album

My mother-in-law wanted me to compile the information she gathered on her family into an album to put in a museum in the community she lives. At first, I found this to be very difficult. I did not know how to put TONS of information into a book and make it look nice and contain the information a family history album should. I learned a lot through this process and the purpose of this post is to hopefully help someone who felt like I did.
"WHERE DO I BEGIN?" - That was the biggest road block for me. Once I started, it all seemed to fall into place.
 I did a lot of research on different styles and this is what I came up with....

I made a title page explaining the purpose of the book and sort of a disclaimer to calm family nerves if there happened to be any mistakes.  I made the background with an assortment of brightened pictures that are in the book.

Each person in the family had a two page spread. For the first page I picked my favorite picture of the individual, I typed the name with bold letters, I added the year of birth and death ( year of birth if person is still living), and a brief personal history. With the first person in this album (whom I will call the patriarch of the family in the time period of this album), I added the surname. The rest of the family members have the first name only.

The opposite page had some other pictures of interest and brief explanations of the pictures.

You need to decide what type of album you want.  To me, an album is more about the pictures than anything. Other paper information and pictures can be placed in an envelope with the album for people to look at if they so desire. For me, the more brief and to the point write ups are - the better. If you like more history then certainly put it in there.  

Here is a picture of a two page spread. This two page spread and the one below contain information of the mother and father of the family this album is about. 

I made a title page to start the next pages that contain information of the children in the family. I did not include names on this title page as the pages following have all that information.

The next pages follow the same layout. Where I put the name depended on the individual picture. It gave a nice variety. If I had the information, I made sure I had marriage dates and children names. 

A few pages with other information is good. The page below has a picture of the family homestead and a map of where it is located. 

I concluded the book in the same style I started with. 

I don't have any special programs on my computer (that I know how to use anyway). I have a Mac and I do most of my work on, believe it or not, the slideshow program called Keynote. I sent all the files to a printer. I printed a big copy for the museum and smaller copies for family members. 

I got a lot of the clip art and background paper free from the Creative Memories Project page. Check it out to see all the amazing digital files you can use. Click on "Freebies".

 When you start to make an album it may seem extremely daunting. There are usually more pictures and information than what you can fit on a page or two. Choose your favorite pictures and the most important information. Make it simple. 

 What I did to organize myself .... I put all the information for each person in separate page protectors in a binder. I started with the oldest member of the family to the youngest. This pouch contained the pictures and information. I arranged the pouches in the order I was going to put them in the book. This made it easier when I tackled each individual subject at a time. 

When I presented this album to my mother-in-law she cried. Family History albums are a treasure. They are close to our hearts because the information in them are really what we are made of. 

This was definitely a fulfilling project. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to...

Whipperberry