Whether you're into scrapbooking, family research, or like many of us, into a little of both, you're probably meticulous about the details of your projects. You've scrapbooked, journaled, collected facts and biographies from generation after generation of family members, but will anyone ever know who created or compiled this work? In your pursuit to leave future generations with a picture of whotheyare, have you forgotten to tell them whoyouare? Have you, even with hand written notes and journaling passages, left your identity a mystery for future generations to solve? Here are some simple ways to identify yourself as the author, creator, or compiler of scrapbooks and genealogy information without "e;upstaging"e; the information or scrapbook subject.

The most direct identification is a simple byline. If you are the author of a family history you may have already included your name and may wish to consider adding some of the other suggestions below. If you are a scrapbooker, this is an opportunity to add yet another creative touch. A byline can be presented as a page of its own at the beginning or end of an album. It can be as simple as the stated words, "e;By Daphne Mills"e; with simple or elaborate backgrounds, colorful pens and clip art that reflects your personality or the theme of the album. And if your relationship with the person or people captured within the album isn't clear from the photos and journaled entries, then make it clear within your byline information. You might say, "e;By John Wilson's Grandma, Daphne Mills"e;, or model the words from those on tags that can be sewn into clothes made for loved ones, such as "e;Created with love by Grandma, Daphne Mills"e;.

If you wish to add more, and your project is a compilation of genealogy, consider creating a byline of information about yourself. You might say, "e;The Johnson Family History researched and compiled by James Johnson"e;, followed by basic information such as the date the information or this segment of the information was compiled, your age (if you wish to reveal it) at the time, your relationship with the original family member such as, "e;Great great grandson of Josiah Johnson"e;. Include whatever other information you like - your education, rank and dates if you served in the military, your favorite phrase or words that you live by, or any other information you care to list.

Scrapbookers who are making an album for a friend or relative may want to make the information about themselves focus on the album subject. This makes for both a softer appeal and provides information for that friend or family member's descendants can follow. For example, the byline page may read, "e;An album created with love for Betty Marsh by her devoted friend, Mary Smith"e;, or, "e;Created with love for Samantha Owens by her cousin Mary Smith"e;. You may wish to include the date you created or plan to give the album, and follow that information up with a touching memory, "e;from our childhood together in the summer of 1954 in Mobile, Alabama"e;, or a funny incident, "e;when I baby sat you, my little cousin, when you were four and I was still a fun loving fifteen year old"e;. The subject of your album will not only find this page enjoyable but it will provide important information some day for her branch of the family when researching their background.

If it is a family history you're compiling consider expanding the general information about yourself into a short autobiography or follow the byline page with a more extensive autobiography. For a quick and easy method of writing your personal history, read our article on writing your autobiography (see link below).

Whether you decide to use these suggestions or craft some of your own, consider the benefits for future generations of identifying yourself as the author, creator, researcher, or compiler of your family heritage projects.

For more info:
Writing Your Autobiography

Heritage album Ideas

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