Let's Use Those Family Photographs & Our Collections - Part 3

Last week in Let's Use Those Family Photographs & Our Collections - Part 2, I told you I would be discussing something special to accompany a gift of a book in this week's Web Wandering.

When you give a book, also include a piece of your family history as a bookmark.

I am designing family bookmarks. The above shows the front of the bookmark which includes the photograph, the name, and the birth and death date.

On the reverse I've included the name, the relationship, and an historical quote about Mary. A mini family history factoid. On others I've used the person's favorite saying. My father - "There'll Be No Hell For Dogs."

I designed my own template in Photoshop, but it can also be done in Microsoft Word using columns. My bookmarks measure 8.5 X 2 for use on 8.5 X 11 stock. I print them at Kinkos or a place similar. I am experimenting with different card stocks and laminating the bookmark. A hole can be punched in the top of the bookmark and a tassel added. Four bookmarks can be printed to the page and I have used four different ancestors.

This could also be a promotional item for your blog, history or genealogical society. (I have been known to drop off a few bookmarks with the genealogy section of our local public library.)

Shades Blog

Two examples of great bookmarks are shown below. The Montana Historical Society Research Center is one of my favorites as is the Seattle Opera's 1995-96 Season bookmark. They offer a lot of inspiration.

Bookmark By
Montana Historical Society

Bookmark By
Seattle Opera

There are so many ways to honor our ancestors and keep them alive in our memories. Have a great idea for a family history photo project? Tell us about it in the comments.

Next week Shades will look at a desk calendar using your family photographs. See you then!



Note: Unfortunately there are no photographs of Mary William. I designed this bookmark for a friend and did not have her permission to use the family information, so I substituted mine for illustration.