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Porch Swing Tip of the Week: My Ancestors

It might be well-known in your family that your forebears immigrated from Ireland or Italy or Iceland, that they came through Ellis Island after sailing here, but what about the lesser-known information? Why did they come to the New World and what did they find? What has been passed down to you that your readers will find they can relate to? What stories do you have about your great-grandparents, where they lived and how they made a living?

Any photos of your predecessors you can scan and add to your book will be a great bonus! Remember to take pictures of any documents you also want to capture regarding your ancestors. 

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: My Children
 
There are facts about your children, say when and where they were born, that your family surely has recorded already, such as in a Family Bible. But details, like the circumstances surrounding their birth, might be saved only in your mind, and there’s no time like the present to get these stories written down. What are some of your earliest memories of your children? What did they enjoy doing in their early years? Describe one thing that made you proud of your child/children in their early years. What traits did you see early on that remained with them as they grew up? Name several positive things about each of your children.

It might also be fun to ask your children for input on their side of the stories. Sounds like a favorite chapter to me! 

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: My Childhood, Part Two: The Places

A member of our Porch Swing family shared about being raised in Oklahoma, where summers were so hot and dry that no grass grew in the mobile home park where her family lived. Information about where you grew up, especially if it was far from where you ended up, may be like a whole new world to your children and grandchildren. What was your hometown like? What did it smell like? (This may seem a little odd, but the experts tell us that a story is better if it makes use of all the senses – taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.) What was a typical Saturday morning like in your neighborhood?  What did you like to do to pass the time? This might be a chapter that makes your kids say, “Well, that explains a lot!”
 
Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: My Community Service

Volunteering time and giving resources to improve one’s community is fundamental to many people. According to Volunteers of America’s website, their 55,575 volunteers donated 1,252,054 hours during fiscal year 2019. And that’s just one organization! Helping others builds character traits like cooperation, problem solving, responsibility, and compassion. 

How have you been involved in your community? In what ways have you helped others? What helping organizations have you joined? How would you like to serve your community in the future? Be sure to record the stats and stories of your volunteer service. (Maybe you will want to plan a celebration for National Volunteer Week, the last week of April this year!) 

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team