The 4 part framework to craft headlines about your ancestors that spark curiosity and connection
Master the art of headlines for your family history so you get all the readers you deserve.
Your headline is the first thing your readers see and your goal is to pull them into reading your ancestors’ stories. A headline is not just a placeholder; it needs to invite followers scrolling by to stop and read.
Crafting an engaging headline is as simple as answering four questions:
About Who – Who is the post about? Which ancestor or family is the focal point?
The Event - What topic or event will the post explore?
So What – Why does this post matter? What emotional or historical resonance will readers find here?
The Echos - How do the events or people in the post affect you today?
These four questions form a framework for crafting headlines which turn scrollers into readers. Let’s break down each one of these questions further, so your posts can get the attention they deserve.
1. ABOUT WHO
The foundation of any ancestral story is the “who.” Identifying the ancestor or family group within your headline immediately tells the reader that this is a story about real people. Family history is deeply personal, so headlines with names or relationships create a sense of connection from the start.
Examples:
“My Great-Grandmother, the Suffragette: A Story of Resilience in Early 1900s England” – Naming the ancestor with her accomplishment makes the story personal, giving readers a reason to care about this individual’s experience.
“The Forgotten Tailor of Our Family: How One Man’s Craft Shaped Generations” – Here, the “who” is introduced through a defining trait, drawing in readers who are curious about the power of family traditions.
The “About Who” element is your chance to turn ancestors into relatable figures. Whether it’s “My Grandfather, the Homesteader” or “The Apprentice Shoemaker in My Family Tree,” a clear who makes the post feel specific and real.
Pro Tip: If you want to make your story findable by others researching the same family lines, then put the specific names and locations in the subtitle of the article. The subtitle acts as a meta description for Google Search and should appear in internet searches.
2. THE EVENT
After introducing who the story is about, tell the reader what event or events the post will reveal or explore. This is the hook, giving readers a reason to keep reading and signaling that they aren not just reading an obituary, but that there is a journey ahead.
Examples:
“The Merchant Who Defied Convention: How My Ancestor’s Rebellion Led to a New Life in America” – This headline introduces the ancestor’s unique act of pushing back against conventions of the time, creating intrigue about came next.
“From the Farm to the Front: One Family’s Path Through World War I” – The “event” here promises a story about transformation and survival, resonating with readers who are drawn to tales of resilience through historical events.
When defining the “Event”, think more about the overall action and themes, rather than the small details themselves. Pull back a bit and put your ancestor in the historical context of his or her time. What makes this ancestor’s life worth reading about? What questions or revelations does the reader gain from joining in on their journey?
3. SO WHAT
The “So What” is all about why this story matters. This is where you tell your readers not just what happened, but why it matters today. This piece of the headline brings emotional weight, and shows what will be gained on a personal level by reading the post.
Examples:
“The War Letters of a Father Who Never Returned—And the Legacy of Love He Left Behind” – This headline speaks to the emotional resonance of the letters, framing them as a legacy that impacts the present.
“Finding Hope in My Ancestor’s Survival Story: Lessons from a Great Depression Childhood” – Here, the “So What” reveals that this isn’t just about survival; it’s about the lessons the reader can carry into their own life.
The “So What” answers your reader’s internal question of why they should care. Publicly posted family history needs universal takeaways if you want it to be read by as many people as possible. Stories of courage, resilience, faith, or identity make historical stories of non-famous people from the past feel immediate and significant.
4. THE ECHOES
“Echoes” are what resonates for you in your family history. These echoes reveal how your ancestor’s experiences shape the present for you. By drawing connections between past and present, you show readers that family history offers insights that impact and inspire.
Examples:
“My Great-Grandmother, the Suffragette: A Story of Resilience in Early 1900s England and the Courage She Passed Down to Us” – The echo here shows that her bravery isn’t just part of the past; it’s a quality that lives on in her descendants today.
“The War Letters of a Father Who Never Returned—And How His Words Shaped Our Family’s Sense of Duty” – This headline goes beyond the letters themselves to show how his values have influenced generations.
“From Irish Immigrant to Community Leader: How My Ancestor Shaped Our Hometown—and Why His Legacy Still Inspires Our Family Today” – The echo here brings the ancestor’s story closer to home, showing that his values continue to influence the family and their role in the community.
In family history writing, “Echoes” help your readers see that these stories aren’t just boring tales of the past. Your ancestors’ stories are part of a continuous journey that has shaped who you are today. If your readers are your family, they will soon see their own “Echoes” from your ancestors in their life too.
Bringing It All Together
By using About Who, The What, So What, and The Echoes, you can craft headlines that not only draw readers into your story but also help them feel the continuing presence of those who came before. Without a headline that sparks curiosity and connection, potential readers will not understand what a wonderful story awaits them in your post. Your family history writing deserves as many readers as possible so you can honor your ancestors as intended.
You are on to something. I went over my articles with your guidelines in mind and the closer I accidentally got to your approach the better the responses.