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Should You Include Unresolved Questions in Your Family History Writing?
- Devon Noel Lee
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
Wondering whether to include questions you can’t answer in your family history book? You're not alone. Many writers—especially those piecing together stories from scattered records—run into this dilemma.
In fact, Robin recently wrote in with a thoughtful reflection on her new book:
“I just published a book about my grandmother and her 10 siblings. A cousin said she found it interesting how I questioned so many things. Like, ‘Did he start raising x, y, and z because of the boll weevil infestation or the Army worms?’ and ‘Did her marriage fall apart because she changed religions?’ I didn’t even realize that was part of my ‘voice.’ Is that good or bad?”
Great question, Robin. Let’s talk about it.
Why It’s Okay to Include Questions in Your Published Family History
Including open-ended questions in your writing can be a powerful storytelling device. When you don’t have all the answers—and let's face it, we rarely do—asking “why” or “what happened here?” invites the reader into the same journey of discovery you’ve been on. It helps your writing feel human, reflective, and real.
You’re not making things up. You’re sharing the mystery. And that’s compelling.
Just be mindful to flag these questions clearly, so readers understand what’s fact, what’s speculation, and what’s still unresolved.
Keep It Clear With Sidebars or Boxed Text
If you’re worried your questions might disrupt the narrative flow or confuse the reader, consider setting them apart visually.
You can do this in a few ways:
Use boxed text labeled “Speculation” or “Family Question”
Add a shaded sidebar with your reflections
Use a simple line like: “It’s unclear why she moved to Kansas, but one possibility is...”
This method helps readers separate known facts from your thoughtful interpretations or open questions. It’s especially useful in printed books where design elements help organize complex stories.
Add a “Future Research” Section at the End
Another excellent technique is saving your biggest lingering questions for a section titled something like:
Unanswered Questions
What We Still Wonder
Future Research Ideas
This section gives readers (especially family members and future genealogists) a helpful list of clues to explore. You’re not just telling a story—you’re passing the torch.
And who knows? One of your descendants might be the one to uncover the answer fifty years from now.
What’s Your Voice as a Family History Writer?
Here’s the most important takeaway: if asking questions is part of how you naturally write, lean into that.
There’s no one “right” way to tell your family’s story. Some people stick to just the facts. Others want to reflect, speculate, or wonder aloud—and readers love both styles, when done clearly.
If it’s part of your voice, it’s part of your story. And that makes your book unique.
Include the Unanswered In Your Published Family Histories
So, should you include unanswered questions in your family history writing?
Absolutely—just be thoughtful about how you do it. Use sidebars, signal uncertainty, and give those questions space to breathe. They don’t weaken your story. In fact, they make it stronger by showing just how much depth and complexity you’re working with.
What’s one unanswered question you’ve wrestled with in your own writing? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what mysteries you’re exploring.
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