Illustrating Uncle Buffalo Bill Book with Scrapbooking Techniques

I've had great fun illustrating my picture book about my Uncle William "Buffalo Bill" Mathewson using sketches and scrapbooking techniques.  I wrote the story of his life first, then came up with the illustrations.  Since I'd been teaching scrapbooking and family history research, I decided to incorporate some of these art techniques into the art work of this book.

The book initially was written to share with my family about their ancestor.  Then I was asked to share the story of the life of my ancestor who was known as the first Buffalo Bill in the schools.  So I began drawing pictures to accompany my presentations.  These evolved into illustrations for the book.

The original book contains the scrapbooking additions and has somewhat of a 3-D effect.  This comes through fairly well when I photocopied the book. Since I self-published the book, I was able to be creative and use some unorthodox techniques.

I'm also making postcards of the cover as promotional pieces.

Be creative with the books you write and publish.  It's such fun.

More Family Story & Scrapbooking Workshops

I continue to find great enjoyment in teaching family story workshops.  I've also been combining them with scrapbooking. 

My most recent one occurred at the Pease Public Library in Plymouth, NH.  We'll be planning another one in late spring. 

I encourage participants to bring at least six photos to act as memory stimulants or springboards for starting stories.  From there more stories may come to mind.

Teaching Family History Story Writing

What fun I've had recently, teaching family history workshops at Mansfield's Books & More.  People need to save their family stories for future generations.  I enjoy reading about my ancestors and their lives in letters and story.

"Mom, you must write down the stories of your life," my daughter said. 

This got me thinking about teaching others how to do it, whether they want to be publicly published or write simply for family reading.  I'm also planning on doing some online classes.  I'd like to develop a workshop I can teach to groups via Skype or ooVoo.

Any suggestions?  Or interest?

E-Mails from the Blue about Ancestors

It's exciting when someone e-mails you, asking about an ancestor and seeking information. Then you find you have a connection and can pool your data.

That happened this morning, when I received an e-mail seeking information about one of my husband's uncles, George Creston Sherwood. We haven't been in contact with any of Uncle Cres' family since his and his wife's death. So it will be enjoyable if this turns out to be a "cousin," even a distant one.

Happy New Year's from MEA's Family History & Scrapbooking

May 2009 be a wonderful year for you.

It's cold (3 degrees F.) and windy here where I live.

Reflect upon 2008, but we're look forward to a grand 2009.

Parting With Geneaolgy Books

As I've accumulated books about family history research, compiling family history, and writing family stories, I haven't purchased duplicates, but realize I have some I probably won't use, or which I've gone beyond.

It's always difficult for a book lover to part with books, but these, plus the many others my family and I own (6 children and adults) have begun to overwhelm the house and a storage area.

Craig's List

So we've begun listing those we can part with on Craig's List. We also make them available at our yard sales in summer, but that's sort of impractical during winter in NH. It's gratifying when people contact us about our books and are thrilled to find some they're looking for or with which to expand their knowledge and enjoyment.

So I culled out some of my family history and genealogy books....probably will find more as I investigate all nooks and crannies of our abode.

Uncle Buffalo Bill Blog

Buffalo Bill Mathewson

I've developed a blog for the research and writing I'm doing about another ancestor, William "Buffalo Bill" Mathewson, who was my grandmother, Ella Banks Place's uncle. No, he wasn't Buffalo Bill Cody, although the two played prominent roles in the West and did meet.

I've written about Uncle Buffalo Bill, given talks about him, and now am developing a children's book about his life. He played an important role on the Santa Fe Trail, in Indian peace talks, developing trading posts, and founding Wichita, Kansas.

Although I haven't compiled too much online about Uncle William (Buffalo Bill) yet, I plan to do so as I finish my book.