A Family Album is an important keepsake for future generations to learn about their ancestors. It is also a wonderful gift to create and give to another family member. A family album should not only include photos of each family member, but also facts about each person featured in the album. You also may want to include a 'Time Capsule' page reflecting what life was like in the year the family album was created.

A Family Album can be used as an anniversary gift for your parents, grandparents, or any other family member. After you decide for whom you are making the album, decide what the focus will be. If you are making the album for your grandparents, you may want to dedicate a page to each of their children and grandchildren or you may choose to create an album focusing on your grandparents' siblings and parents.

Purchase a small album, either a 5" x 7" or an 8" x 10". The number of photos you plan to use will determine the size of the album. Keep in mind that the larger the album, the more photos and accessories you will need to fill it. Gather photos, mementos, and items of interest to be placed in the book. Try interviewing a few family members to get some added information for the album.

Here is a simple outline to follow when creating your family album:

Use the first page as an introduction to the family. Write a poem, a bit of history about the family or create a family tree.

Use a two-page spread for each family member, one to include photos and the other to include journaling - one of the most important aspects of scrapbooking is journaling. On the adjoining page, list some information about the person. If you don't have many personal facts about your relative, just include their name, birthdates, birthplace, and their children's names.

Here are some suggestions of categories to include in these profiles:

• Hobbies and Interests
  
• Favorite songs/movies/actors
  
• Nicknames
  
• Schools attended
  
• Professions and careers
  
• Clubs, Charities and Organizations
  
• Places where they have lived or traveled

Use the last page to write a summary about your family or if you didn't create a family tree on the front page, create one on the last page.

A Family Album will be a treasured gift for many years to come. And, one thing is certain - by creating a family album, you will ensure that your family's history will never be forgotten.

Recommended Reading:: The growing interest in genealogy has paved the way for a hot new trend in the craft industry--heritage scrapbooking. Thanks to the Internet and new easy-to-use software, more people than ever before are interested in tracing their family backgrounds--and in preserving a record of what they find. Creating Your Family Heritage Scrapbook is the perfect how-to guide for families wanting to compile their history in a fun, unique scrapbook. Inside you will discover the most helpful Web sites and magazines for accurate genealogy, as well as many fun and artistic ideas for preserving invaluable memories the whole family will enjoy. This extensive resource will give you everything you need to learn the art of heritage scrapbooking, including resources for researching family roots, scrapbook and journaling tips, sample templates, lists of necessary tools and supplies, and dozens of helpful hints.

What's Related: 10 Easy Ways To Improve Your Family Photographs

About the Author:
Copyright 2001, Victoria Walker All Rights Reserved. From the E-Book, Your Guide to Scrapbooking Victoria Walker is the author of the E-Book, Your Guide to Scrapbooking, which is available at her web site. She is also a Freelance Writer, Craft Designer, and President of WordWalker Publishing. For more information, visit her website at
http://victoriawalker.com or email her at Victoria@victoriawalker.com

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