Your family tree can tell you facts revealed from official records, but that is only the bare bones of your family's lives. Your story (and perhaps your memories of relatives) are so much more than official records.

Life Story aims to provide our children and grandchildren with answers to some of those questions that we often regret not having asked our own parents and grandparents.

Our lives may seem unexceptional, but we all have stories to tell that can surprise, illuminate, amuse and touch us. The relationships we formed, love and affection, the career struggles, the traumas, the betrayals, the experiences of wars and natural disasters, the coincidences that can make or break us: such stories are the stuff of literature and drama. 

We share our stories, and we seek ways of putting flesh on the bare bones of our family trees. 

Where do you start? How much should you tell? Where do you find the words to describe what you've experienced?

We can help each other to express ourselves and create a valuable family artefact that will be cherished by our descendants for decades to come.

We read extracts from our stories: the group listens and discussions open up. These can help us judge the success of your narrative, or push your memories further.

We include photos of past family members so there is real history for everyone to look back on. 

Everything that is written is shared by the group, but it is understood that all stories are kept confidential.