.png)
According to Ancestry, "We all have a storyteller inside us." To help us with storytelling, Ancestry introduced the StoryMaker Studio. This exciting new feature taps into the storyteller inside all of us.
Ancestry's innovative storytelling tool makes sharing and documenting your family's stories easier than ever. In this article, we'll explore the functionality of StoryMaker Studio and how it can help you write and share your family history.
Getting Started with the Ancestry Storymaker Studio
A few initial steps are necessary to take advantage of the Story Maker Studio.
Create a free Ancestry account if you don't already have one.
Build a family tree with at least two generations, which can be done in free and paid versions.
Upload clear portrait photos from at least two generations, triggering one of the features we'll discuss later.
Assign a home person in your tree.
You can accomplish these tasks using a laptop, tablet, or phone browser via Ancestry's website.
If you're accessing Ancestry via their website, you can access the Story Maker Studio through the tree tab.
Click on your family tree name in the top left corner
Scroll down to the Story Maker Studio
Click on "Write a Story."
This will open a screen where you can type your story directly into the website or upload a file from your computer. Ancestry will guide you through the process, making it seamless and user-friendly.
To view the tutorial, watch the following video:
Exploring the Story Maker Studio in the Ancestry App
For a more comprehensive and immersive experience, it's recommended to use the Ancestry mobile app. Once you've downloaded the app from the appropriate app store for your device, open it to a screen filled with fascinating items. These include daily picks, ancestral birthdays, photo collages, and other prompts for tasks you can do on the platform. For our purposes, we'll focus on the Story Maker Studio.
Creating Ancestry PhotoLines
The first impressive feature of the Story Maker Studio is the ability to create photo lines. By clicking "Photo lines," Ancestry will prompt you to assign a home person to your tree.
After completing this step, several collage styles featuring different family members will be presented.
If you've already uploaded a photo of yourself or the home person, it will be included automatically in the layouts. You can then customize the tool and complete the collage or make adjustments as desired.
Uploading and Enhancing Photos
To add a photo to the collage, click "add photo."
Ancestry may request access to your camera and device media.
You can take a photo on the spot or upload an existing one.
Once uploaded, Ancestry offers various options to enhance your photo, such as rotation, flipping, colorization, and sharpening.
Additionally, you can apply filters like black and white or high contrast. When satisfied, save your photo, which will be added to the PhotoLines options.
Creating Instagram-Style Stories
Another fascinating feature exclusive to the Ancestry mobile app is the ability to create Instagram or Facebook-style stories. This feature is currently available only on the Ancestry mobile app, not the browser.
To access it, click on "Stories" within the app.
By clicking "Stories," you can choose from various prompts, such as birth stories or first stories for specific family members. The app provides pre-designed slides to help you tell your ancestor's story. Each slide can be edited, allowing you to change colors, titles, and add relevant information.
↪️ Do you want to write a family history book?
Grab your copy of this FREE Writing Guide:
Saving and Sharing Your Family Stories
Once you've created your family history story, you can save or publish it. Saving allows you to store the story within your Ancestry account and make further edits if needed. Publishing the story makes it visible on the profile page of the individual it is dedicated to within your family tree.
While Ancestry's StoryMaker Studio is primarily designed for social media sharing, it does require an additional step. You must download the story and then share it manually on your preferred social media platforms. Ancestry does provide a sharing option, but it's important to note that the feature is more focused on the creation and preservation of stories rather than direct sharing.
Test Fun of StoryMaker Studio
Ancestry's StoryMaker Studio provides a powerful tool for capturing and preserving your family history through engaging Instagram-style social media stories. While most features are currently only available on the Ancestry mobile app, the app offers a user-friendly interface and numerous customization options.
Whether you're aiming to reach younger generations or want to share your family's unique narrative, StoryMaker Studio offers a convenient platform to accomplish your storytelling goals.
Embrace the opportunity to unlock your storytelling potential and embark on a journey of preserving and sharing your family history like never before using the tools provided by StoryMaker Studio.