Book Review of "Storytelling for Genealogists: Turning Family Lineage into Family History" by Doug Tattershall

As a family historian and social media storyteller, I’m always on the lookout for books that inspire and challenge how I share my family history journey. Doug Tattershall’s Storytelling for Genealogists: Turning Family Lineage into Family History is exactly that kind of book. It is a thoughtful and practical guide that encourages genealogists to move beyond charts and records and craft stories that bring their ancestors to life.

This is not just a how-to book; it’s a call to dive deeper, to go beyond the dry facts and explore the social history surrounding our families. Tattershall makes the point that our ancestors’ stories don’t just begin and end with their birth and death dates. Their stories are shaped by the times in which they lived, the communities to which they belonged, the struggles they faced, and the choices they made. Every generation is part of a larger human story of endurance, migration, love, loss, and resilience.

One idea that particularly resonated with me is Tattershall’s perspective that family history lives on the shelf between history and biography. This was a view I hadn’t consciously considered before, but it opened my eyes. We often don’t have enough material, such as letters, journals, and detailed accounts, to write a full biography of a distant ancestor. For example, I don’t have a personal journal detailing my 3rd great-grandfather Wm Jasper Killion’s experience during the Civil War or his horrifying imprisonment at Andersonville Prison. But that doesn’t mean his story during the Civil War can’t be told.

Tattershall shows us that we can build narratives by combining secondhand sources, such as military records, Civil War histories, news accounts, and even journals from others who served in the same unit. These materials help fill in the gaps and create a fuller picture of what life was like for our ancestors, even if we’re working from puzzle pieces rather than complete portraits.

One section I found especially fascinating was the discussion on microhistory, focusing on small, detailed slices of life that reflect broader human experiences. Who were the people our ancestors surrounded themselves with? What local events shaped their decisions? What aspects of their lives have shaped who we are today? Tattershall encourages us to ask these kinds of questions, which help transform research notes into a compelling, thoughtful narrative.

Another highlight was his suggestion of hands-on, re-enactment-style learning. Whether it’s trying out old crafts like quilting, baking from historical recipes, or planting a garden similar to what our ancestors might have tended, these kinds of experiences can connect us emotionally to the past. This hands-on approach can bring depth and authenticity to our storytelling, helping us not only understand but feel what life might have been like.

Tattershall also gives practical tips on structuring stories. He emphasizes the importance of building timelines, both personal (such as ancestral events) and historical (wider world events), and identifying the central theme of the story you want to tell. I found his advice on finding a clear theme especially useful. He suggests boiling it down to one sentence that drives the narrative forward, keeping the story focused and engaging.

Another point that stuck with me was his reminder that people respond to stories, not data. We love stories, and that’s why we read books, watch movies, and binge shows. Even our ancestors, long before the digital age, flocked to plays and performances. When we tell the stories of our families, we’re tapping into that deep human love for narrative. That’s why it’s important not to get too hung up on the “how I found this record” part, but instead focus on what the record means in the context of the person’s life.

Tattershall also encourages family historians to revisit old material, such as blog posts, and repromote or reshape it with fresh insights. This was a great reminder that our storytelling work is never truly “done.” There are always new angles, new connections, and new ways to invite others into the journey.

Finally, I appreciated the book’s resource suggestions, such as visiting oral history repositories, consulting centennial histories, and exploring local historical societies. These are often overlooked gold mines for adding context and richness to ancestor stories.

Overall, Storytelling for Genealogists is a book I will absolutely keep on my shelf, ready to pull down whenever I need fresh ideas or a reminder of why this work matters. It’s an encouraging, thoughtful guide that makes the process of sharing family history feel exciting and meaningful, even when we know we’ll never have all the answers.

If you’re a genealogist, blogger, or just someone curious about your family’s past, I highly recommend this book. It left me energized, inspired, and eager to keep exploring and sharing the stories of those who came before me.

📚 P.S. If you’re interested, Storytelling for Genealogists by Doug Tattershall is available on Amazon! I’m not affiliated, just sharing because it’s such a helpful read for fellow family historians. 🌿 Happy storytelling!