The Holidays, with all of the family gatherings, is a great chance to get together to collect and record family history. The Henry and Stark County Genealogy Societies are teaming up to host a workshop with storyteller, author and historian Brian Fox Ellis to help you do just that.
Mr. Ellis will entertain and inspire workshop participants by telling a few of his family stories and helping folks to write their own at the Bishop Hill Welcome Center from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 22nd.
The workshop title says it best, “On Beyond Genealogy”, moving beyond the research and turning notes into stories. Once someone has collected family bibles and obituaries, and surfed Ancestry.com, the question arises: How do you translate this list of names and dates into tell-able tales? This workshop will walk you through the steps of telling and writing stories to keep our ancestors’ memories alive. Everyone has a story to tell. This workshop will help you find ways to pass on this deep sense of who we are and where we come from. These stories can become the foundation for a book that is a legacy for generations to come. Fox will also present lessons on narrative and poetic writing styles to bring family lore to print, and a primer on what you need to know to self-publish your family history. Participants are asked to bring paper, pencil, 5 of their favorite family photographs, and a family tree if you have one. Come to listen and come to tell! Advance registration is required. Seating is limited.
The presenter, Brian “Fox” Ellis, presents dozens of family literacy programs across the country every year. He is the author of more than 100 magazine articles, 12 CDs and 16 books, including the acclaimed children’s picture book, The Web at Dragonfly Pond, (Dawn Publications 2006) a true story about fishing with his father.
The fee for the program is just $25 for adults, or $15 for students, plus $10 for lunch from Bishop Hill’s Filling Station E-mail Sharon at larshar63@gmail.com to register. Send checks to HCGS ℅ Sharon Perkins 7885 W Osceola Rd Neponset, IL 61345.
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