In this article, I will share the kinds of treasures that await at the Church History Library. Anyone who has roots in towns where Mormon
Finding forgotten voices in the Church History Library
How my grandparents instilled a love for Memorial Day – and you can too!
I love Memorial Day. It’s not the barbecue, the weekend get-a-way, or extra day of vacation, although those things are appealing. So why? The answer
What this photo says about death of a mother
You wouldn’t know by this photo that “the most important person in the world isn’t here any more.” My friend, René Thornton Jr., was the
My mom confessed “I dreaded Mother’s Day”
A friend once asked me what it was like having a mother who was so supportive. I have thought about that question a lot since
On gradually losing my mom: She is the sea and she says hush, hush, hush
This week I share an article I wrote a while back about losing my mom while she’s still here. So much has changed in her
Ancestral homes – How to research the story of a home or building
There can be an uncanny connection to ancestral homes and the places where our forebears walked. In our line of work, we’ve noticed some pretty
What can you learn from a contrarian?
One of the most exhilarating projects I have ever worked on is to act as co-author with James M. Sweeney for his upcoming book, The
Surviving an Avalanche: A Story of Faith
Snow is beautiful. Snow is magical. It sets the stage for endless fun. But snow is also deadly when the conditions are right. Mike Crowton
Is Yours a Redemption Story?
I remember asking my boss for help a couple of years ago and it prompted me to write in my journal, “My younger self wouldn’t
How to write dialogue in a true story
Should you include dialogue in your memoir, autobiography, or family history? What if you don’t remember exactly what people said? In this article, we’ll address