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One hundred years from now, what will you be remembered for? What kind of legacy are you passing on to your children and grandchildren?

Creating family history books with your photos and stories is a wonderful way to capture the essence of who you are, pass on family values and traditions, and ultimately make a difference in the lives of those you love.

Here are five reasons why you should be creating family history books:

1. They help your family grow closer

Spending time together as a family, looking at pictures and reminiscing about good times spent together can help deepen your relationships and can lead to thoughtful discussions about things you may not otherwise be compelled to share.

2. They are a visual reminder to your family that they are loved and valued

A book filled with family photos and stories reminds those you love that they have a place in a family who loves them for who they are. A photo book created for someone to celebrate an accomplishment or as a tribute to their life says so much more than spoken words. When you take the time to put your words of praise and encouragement into an album, those words will not be forgotten, but they will be read over and over again.

3. They help us to be thankful

Family history books remind us of the many blessings we have received in this life and help us to focus on those blessings rather than what we don’t have. At the end of our life, it will not matter if we had a nice house, expensive clothes or a fancy car. What does matter is the relationships we have and the love and value we gave to others. We are more thankful for these things when we have a visual reminder of them.

4. You can influence and inspire others by sharing of yourself

Our knowledge, experiences, and insight are valuable. Our passions, interests, and opinions can inspire others. Family history books help us capture the value that lies within our minds and hearts and makes it tangible – something that can be shared. The real you will come out in your writing and allow those you love to know you more intimately.

5. They give future generations a glimpse into your life

When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground. ~African Proverb

You may not think this is important, but they will. Your children and grandchildren will come to know you better and their children and grandchildren will feel like they know you by what you have left behind for them to discover. Though your life may seem uninteresting to you now, they will likely find it quite fascinating! What do you want to be remembered for? Through photos and the written word, you can continue to influence and inspire future generations.

Family history books can help your family grow closer, remind them that they are loved and valued, help you to be thankful, influence and inspire others, and give your children and grandchildren a glimpse into your life. So, what are you waiting for? Creating family history books that will last for generations is easy and fun. Take the time to record your family history – it is well worth the time and effort you will spend.

For ideas and inspiration, subscribe to my e-mail list. If you need help getting started, please contact me. I am happy to help!

Nicole Thomas is a wife and mother of four who wants to influence her family and future generations through photos and stories.

Not sure what to make your first album about? First, look at the type of photos you take…you will know what is important to you when you see what you take the most photos of. Your albums should be about YOU! If you still need inspiration, here are a few ideas!

1. Heritage album
2. Family album
3. Celebration album
4. Tribute album
5. Baby album (include all the special things you notice about your new child: her scent, his soft skin, her little toes)
6. Christmas/holiday album
7. Personal album (for your child, spouse, family member, or friend)
8. ABC album (each page includes a word or headline using a letter of the alphabet, such as an alphabetical listing of your child’s strengths) or 123 album (each page includes a number, such as a numerical listing of blessings; for example, 1 happy dog, 2 loving parents, 3 great kids, and so on)
9. Character album (focuses on and teaches character traits)
10. Gratitude/Thanksgiving album
11. Anniversary album
12. Pet album
13. Card collection album
14. Career/professional album
15. Dream album
16. Wedding/”Our Romance” album
17. Best friends album
18. Sports/team album (either your favorite professional team or your child’s sports season)
19. Coaching album (chronicle the season)
20. Sweet Sixteen album (for that special birthday/year)
21. Travel album
22. Best wishes/farewell album (for teachers or professional colleagues)
23. Graduation album
24. Mother’s Day or Father’s day album
25. Teacher’s/classroom album
26. Hobby/interests album
27. Friends and/or relatives album
28. “Welcome to the Family” album (for weddings, adoptions, and so on)
29. Recipe album (record family favorites for yourself or a child)
30. Brag book for Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa
31. Garden album (include photos, details about favorite flowers, stories about your kids enjoying tomatoes or corn, and so on)
32. Arts or crafts projects album
33. Retirement album
34. “What I did on my summer vacation” album
35. Halloween album
36. “Thank you for your hospitality” album (include photos and stories from your visit)
37. Recovery (twelve-step)
38. Adoption album (chronicle child’s journey to, and first year with, the family)
39. Niece/nephew/godchild album
40. Baby dedication/baptism/first communion/confirmation album
41. Teen album (document your teenager’s high school and/or middle school years)
42. Landmark birthday album (forty, fifty, sixty, and so on)
43. Engagement album
44. Honeymoon album
45. New house, house construction, or remodeling album
46. Prayer or faith album (include photos of people you pray for and/or stories of everyday miracles and answered prayers)
47. Sisters/brothers album
48. Family reunion album
49. Affirmation album (filled with positive statements and photographs celebrating a person’s good qualities)
50. Hunting, fishing, or camping album

Excerpt from The Creative Memories Way by Cheryl Lightle and Rhonda Anderson, cofounders of Creative Memories