The invisible obstacles between research and writing (and how to break through them)
Millions of people do genealogy research, but few write about what they find. Here's why and how to be a writer as well as a researcher.
Welcome back to Chronicle Makers, where we celebrate beginning family history writers, turning genealogy facts into interesting stories (often using AI to help!).
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If you’ve ever wanted to write your family stories but found yourself stuck, overwhelmed, or silently whispering “maybe next year,” you’re in good company. Most of us weren’t taught how to write family history. We were taught how to research it, and those are two very different skills.
Over the past year, I’ve collected hundreds of conversations, frustrations, and inner monologues from family historians who’ve been at this for years, but still haven’t written a word.
Let’s walk through the seven biggest obstacles and why none of them have to stop you anymore.
1. The pressure to write “academically” with footnotes for every fact
In 2014, the Board for Certification of Genealogists published a set of standards to raise the quality of research and writing to academic publication levels. These standards were adopted by genealogy journals, which is great for consistent scholarly writing… until every family historian started thinking, “Wait. My writing has to look like this?”
The result? We traded connection with family for citations.
Let me be clear: you can honor the spirit of those standards by using endnotes and a bibliography, while telling stories your family actually wants to read. The BCG standards were written by PhDs. You are not writing a dissertation. You are creating a story. There’s room for both accuracy and your voice.
2. The fear of criticism or correction in genealogy communities
Let’s talk about the elephant in the Facebook group: genealogy communities online can be… well, rough.
I’ve seen name-calling, piling-on, and public takedowns over the simplest question and smallest of mistakes. And I know brilliant, kind researchers who have completely stopped participating in online communities because of it.
Here’s the truth: some people thrive on correcting others in public, because they believe it earn earns them status. “Look at me! I’m the smartest person in the room.” In actuality, they just look like a bully. If anyone makes a mistake, he or she can be privately messaged with the information—it doesn't have to be a public confrontation.
3. Policing of writing posted on social media
Writing is vulnerable. It needs curiosity and encouragement, not policing.
Every writer needs a safe, private space where sharing stories is the norm, not the exception. Social media isn’t built for that. But a small, committed writing group or even just one other person to share with? That changes everything.
Many writers have found AI to be a friendly, supportive companion during writing sessions. You'll find suggestions on how you can use it too throughout Chronicle Makers website.
4. Tech overwhelm—so many tools, no obvious starting point
Software changes constantly.
One day an AI assistant shows up in your Word document. Dozens of AI tools are launched each month which look interesting. Someone says “use Zotero,” someone else says “Scrivener,” and then a YouTube video tells you about the newest features on Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage to help with stories.
Of course you feel overwhelmed.
Chronicle Makers exist to slow the chaos. Posts includs step-by-step directions that work with any writing software you use. Here’s one on using AI to help with outlining.
We don’t need fancy. We need finishable.
5. No clear standards of what “good” family history writing looks like
If you’ve never seen good family history writing… how are you supposed to do it?
The truth is, most of the best examples are buried—literally. In a private print run of 20 copies. On a cousin’s old WordPress blog that hasn’t been updated since 2015. In a private Facebook group managed by a long deceased relative.
You’re not imagining it. It’s hard to know what “good” looks like in this genre. But that’s where AI like ChatGPT and Claude can help. They can provide real-time feedback, offer examples, and help shape your story as you go.
Next week I’ll be sharing the framework I use to get feedback on my writing and help find my voice.
6. Lack of coaches, role models, and writing groups for family historians
There’s no national organization for family history writers. None. No central place to go when you say, “I want to start writing, but I don’t know how.”
We’re building a better way to find each other. Chronicle Makers is part of that movement. Share this publication with your genealogy friends so they can be a part of it with you.
7. No culture of sharing short family stories
For decades, genealogy software focused on collecting facts: names, birth dates, relationships, and sources. And it did that well. But if you wanted to share a memory? A funny quote? A family recipe? There was no place to put it that made sense.
That’s changing. Websites such as FamilySearch and WikiTree now let you upload photos, record memories, and leave notes. Newer products such as Storied are experimenting with more open-ended storytelling and publishing. There is a now a place
But most importantly? We get to build this culture of story sharing. Every short story you share creates more room for someone else to do the same.
This post is part of the new Chronicle Makers Guide: “Write Your First Family History Story in Under 30 Minutes.”
Everyone can get the full guide (plus templates, AI writing prompts, and bite-sized encouragement) when you subscribe as a free or paid member.
This place, Chronicle Makers, is here to show you another way: where writing feels joyful, manageable, and meaningful. Where you don’t need permission to begin. Where you don’t have to go it alone.
Let’s get past the obstacles—and get on with the stories.
Happy writing!
—Denyse
P.S. My YouTube channel features live demonstration of using AI for writing in friendly, easy-to-follow style. You can check my videos here.