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When a Viewer's Blog Reminds Us Why Family History Writing Matters
- Devon Noel Lee
- Jun 22
- 4 min read
Every now and then, a viewer takes me up on my offer to share their writing. Recently, someone sent me a link to their blog: "Beautiful Invisibility: Stories from family genealogy, essays on ethical technology."
With a name like that, I knew I was in for something meaningful.
A Reminder of What Genealogy is Really About
First, a big thank you to the writer who submitted their work. I always say I'll read what y'all send me—and I mean it, even if it takes me a while to catch up.
This blog beautifully illustrates what I call the "welding link"—a connection forged between generations when we write about those who came before us.
Even when we never met them.
Even when the details are sparse.
Storytelling has the power to preserve, honor, and connect. When someone puts that much heart into their research and writing, I want to celebrate it.
Let me share two posts that exemplify this author's amazing storytelling!
Post 1: A Renaissance of Love Beyond the Veil
This post traces the story of Cora Belle Sheridan and her husband, Stillman Joseph Winkelman—distant relatives of the author's wife. It weaves social history, family details, and the author's detective work using historical records, photos, and even AI-enhanced images.
The result is more than just a biography. It's a tribute. After uncovering the couple's courtship, life in San Francisco, and tragic end, the author places a memorial tribute at their crypt.
He handles it all with care and grace. Sensitive topics are addressed respectfully, and there's even an author's note about mental health resources—an example of how storytelling can be both personal and socially aware.
Post 2: The Ghost in the Glass, the Grandfather I Never Knew
This post had me hooked from the start.
The author finds a glass paperweight holding a portrait of his grandfather, Raymond Clarence Griesemer—a man he never knew. That object becomes the catalyst for a full-blown genealogical journey filled with deep research, family legends, and corrected assumptions.
Typically, I caution folks against writing in the first person when telling ancestor stories. It's easy to slip into speculation or put thoughts in their heads that we can't confirm. But this story isn't trying to be a traditional biography.
It's a research journey—and that's the key.
We follow his journey as he discovers new things, makes mistakes, and reflects on his experiences. That framework makes the inclusion of his voice feel purposeful, not distracting. It's what makes the post so powerful.
Where the First Person Flow Stumbles in Family History Writing
That said, I want to zoom in on a minor hiccup. Let's imagine a future researcher stumbles on this post while browsing Ancestry or FamilySearch. They think they're about to read Raymond's life story, and the opening supports that:
"Raymond Clarence Griesemer was born on December 4th, 189,3 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to David Griesemer and Louisa Schmid. His father was a prominent member of Allentown society along with his uncle, who owned and operated Allentown’s famous Duck Farm Hotel…"
Quote from The Ghost in the Glass, the Grandfather I Never Knew – Beautiful Invisibility.
Continuing on..
"Raymond became a young man in 1910 in the midst of the Ragtime era. Sometime around 1914, Raymond met a young Allentown woman named Esther Simonton Rahn. Esther was to become the beloved grandmother in my immediate family. Raymond and Esther’s early courtship remains a mystery."
And then - bam - we read
"I originally assumed they courted in 1916, the year before their wedding. I discovered my assumption to be incorrect."
Suddenly, we're pulled out of Raymond's world and dropped into the author's headspace. That shift—though slight—interrupts the reader's immersion. It's like the story blinks.
Interestingly, the author later explains why he avoids hyperlinks in his posts. His policy is based on the following quote from The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr.
"Links don't just point us to related or supplemental works; they propel us toward them. They encourage us to dip in and out rather than devote sustained attention."
Both Nicholas and the blog author are absolutely right about the problem hyperlinks. Ironically, the two posts I share have storytelling shits that doe does the same thing. It nudges us into and out of Raymond's life. It's not wrong, but it might not be what some readers expect.
A Simple Fix When Writing Family Histories in First Person
Let me offer a suggestion that balances the desire to write in first person while also providing clarity and story continuity for those who want a straight forward family history.
Write and Publish Two Versions
If you're writing about your research journey, go for it! Include your voice. Walk us through the twists, the tools, and the emotions. Those stories are gold.
But consider writing a second version—a narrative that strips away your commentary and focuses only on the ancestor's life.
That way, you give readers two experiences:
The emotional, reflective journey of discovery
A clean, immersive story they can share, print, or add to a profile
And bonus? Once you've written the journey version, trimming it down for a biography is relatively easy. It's not double the work. It's just a matter of editing.
Celebrating an Amazing Family History Blogger
To the author of Beautiful Invisibility: Your storytelling offers insights into the genealogy research journey and connects readers to your ancestors. The opening of "Ghost in the Glass" gave me chills.
Your work reminds me that sometimes, bending the rules works—if we're intentional about it and set expectations well.
Please keep writing. You're writing draws people closer to their roots.
For everyone else: if you're not sure whether to include your voice in your family stories, ask yourself:
What do you want the reader to experience?
Is this piece about your ancestors or your journey to find them?
Sometimes it's both. Just be clear about which is which.
And if you can, write both. You never know which version will be the one that forges a powerful welding link for the next reader in your family tree.
What say you?
Do you write yourself into your ancestor stories—or do you prefer to stay behind the scenes? I'd love to hear your approach in the comments.
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