S - Using Stories to Share Family History

I will admit that I have struggled with posting Stories, but after seeing others’ Stories, I found them to be fun and easy-to-digest content that only lasts 24 hours before it disappears. How could a quick, disappearing post ever carry the value within the genealogy community? But over time, I’ve realized that Stories—whether on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts—are a fantastic way to share bite-sized moments that connect us with the genealogy community. It's a place to ask questions, do polls, inspire others, and simply give a quick update on what I’m doing that I don’t want to live permanently on my feed but still want to engage with my audience. I'm working on adding Stories into my social media strategy, so you can expect to see more Stories posted from me on the platforms that offer them.

If you’re unfamiliar with Stories, let me explain! Stories are short, temporary posts (usually lasting 24 hours) that can be shared on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. They appear at the top of your feed, making them easy to spot, and can be a mix of photos, videos, and text. They’re a great way to keep your content fresh, and unlike regular posts, they disappear after a short time, which encourages a more casual and engaging experience.

Where to Find Stories and How to Post Them:

Instagram

Finding Stories:

• At the top of your feed, you’ll see a row of circles. These are the Stories from the people you follow. Just tap on any circle to view their Story.

Posting a Story:

• Swipe right from your home feed or tap your profile picture with a "+" icon at the top left of your screen.

• You can take a photo or video directly or upload from your gallery by swiping up.

• Once you're happy with your Story, tap “Your Story” to post it.

Facebook

Finding Stories:

• On your main feed, you’ll see Stories at the top in a row, just like Instagram. Tap on any one to view it.

Posting a Story:

• Tap “Create a Story” at the top of your Facebook feed.

• Select your photo, video, or text to post.

• Once you're ready, hit “Share to Story”.

YouTube Shorts

Finding Stories:

• On YouTube's homepage, scroll down to find the Shorts section where you can watch quick, vertical videos.

• Tap on any video to view it.

Posting a Story:

• Click on your profile picture and select “Your Channel”.

• Then, tap on the “Create” button and select “Upload Shorts” to share your video.

When I first started using Stories to share my family history, I wasn’t sure how it would resonate. But over time, I’ve been so grateful for how people respond to them. They give me the chance to share fun, quick facts, images, or events without overwhelming my followers with long posts.

📸 Try one of these Story ideas:

Here are a couple of Story ideas specifically tailored for the genealogy community:

1. “This Day in My Family History”

   • What to Share: Pick a specific date from your family history and share a quick fact or photo. For example, you could post an old family photo from an ancestor’s wedding or highlight a notable event, like an ancestor’s birth or military service.

   • Why It Works: This gives your audience a quick glimpse into your family’s past and sparks interest in their own family history.

2. “Genealogy Tip of the Day”

   • What to Share: Share a quick genealogy tip, such as how to organize research, a new database to explore, or a fun tool you use. For example, “Did you know you can find historical records for your ancestors at [specific site]?”

   • Why It Works: It provides value to your audience, offering a quick learning moment that could help them in their own research journey.

3. Polls or Questions: “Who’s Your Most Interesting Ancestor?”

   • What to Share: Ask your followers to participate in a poll or respond to a question, like “Who’s your most interesting ancestor?” or “What’s your favorite genealogical resource?” You can even share a poll about a specific aspect of genealogy, like “Have you used DNA testing in your research?” with options for yes or no.

   • Why It Works: It encourages engagement from your followers and creates conversation around shared interests.

4. Behind-the-Scenes: “My Genealogy Research in Action”

   • What to Share: Show snippets of your research process. For example, share a photo of your workspace, a glimpse of your research notes, or a screen recording of you exploring a genealogy website.

   • Why It Works: This helps humanize your process and makes your research more relatable and engaging for your audience.

💡 What’s one thing you’d love to try sharing in a Story format? It could be a fun family trivia, an old recipe, or even a “behind-the-scenes” look at your genealogy research.

Stories may be short-lived, but the impact they make can be huge. By sharing quick, digestible moments from your family history, you not only make your content more engaging but also help preserve memories in a way that feels fresh and exciting. So, why not give it a try? You might be surprised by the connections you make.

And remember, Stories are only visible to people who are following you, making them a more personal and interactive way to engage with your audience without cluttering your permanent feed.

From one story seeker to another—follow along and share yours too. See you on the feed!