Tips and Advice for Keeping a Journal

"My mother kept a journal. Now, she was more dedicated that myself, and I have hers on hand also. I am glad to have them and do read them, though the mood must be right. My mom was also a writer and she could wring me out in three lines. I feel certain she wrote in total honesty. I find, even in my journals, I write, not for myself but in case someone else would read them. You know, don't hurt anyone's feelings and don't expose yourself to the bone." Read more... "Journaling"

NEW! Meet Deborah Thompson, who has been journaling for 30 years and get inspired to keep your own personal journal. Includes an in-depth interview with Deborah and pictures of her beautiful journals and a peek at what's inside.

"Did your grandparents keep a journal? How much do you know about your ancestors? Ever wish they had written about themselves? What are you doing to make sure your grandchildren know about you?

I watched as they wheeled my grandmother down the corridor to her hospital room. She was very ill and could now only speak in whispers. Even then, she couldn't talk very long. I remembered stories she and my grandfather shared and tried to recall details. They were lost in the passing of time.

As I climbed in my car, I pulled out a cassette tape, one I recorded on a visit years ago, and shoved it into the dashboard. As I listened, tears came to my eyes. Only sixty minutes of their lives could be told as vividly as they shared it..."
Read more... "Why Should You Journal?"

"I had often thought about decorating a spiral notebook, but wasn’t sure how to go about it. When I stepped inside the store, all kinds of possibilities popped into my head. There were stickers, stamps, die-cuts, and all sorts of punches and scissors to make borders around pictures or the edges of a notebook. Seeing all that could be done, I set to work." Read more... "Personalize Your Journals"

"Journals are tools to help you discover the wisdom you already possess. Sometimes, this wisdom will surprise you. Other times, it will challenge you. Always, it will come directly from you, empowering you to trust yourself and to take action by giving you the deep-seated knowledge that you know more than you think you do." Read more... "Journaling - A Tool For Your Spirit"

• With this in mind, remember that a personal blog or a genealogy blog is an on-line journal. See the tutorial "How to Create Your Own Genealogy Blog in Less Than 5 Minutes" (and more).