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To create the most complete biography of your family member, please gather as much information as you can and document it here. Include sources of information. Remember to SUBMIT at bottom of the page.
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⚠️ Important Note on Photos:
Origins and Family Background What is the origin of their name?
What was their birthdate, and where were they born? What do you know about the circumstances surrounding their birth and early life?
What was their mother's name? Who were their mother's parents and where were they from?
What was their father's name? Who were their father's parents and where were they from?
Did they have any siblings? If so, what were their names and birthdates? If they are no longer living, also provide their dates of death.
What was the family's economic and social situation during their childhood, and how did it change over time?
Childhood What do you know about his/her childhood home/neighborhood? What was the community like when they lived there?
Can you describe a specific, favorite childhood memory or story you were told about their early years?
Did he/she have a nickname growing up? If so, how did they get the name?
Names and locations of schools attended (if known):
What was the highest level of education they achieved?
Adult Life and Relationships Did he/she get married or have any significant relationships? If so, name(s)? How did they meet?
Did he/she have children? If so, provide names, and birth years (if known):
Where did they live their adult life?
Career/Jobs & Achievements What kind of work did they do throughout his/her life? Who did they work for, or did they have their own business? What did their occupation or business mean in the historical period and community in which they worked?
Were there any notable achievements in their life that should be documented?
Is there any known direct involvement in historical events (military service, civil rights activity, the Great Migration, labor movements, etc)? Please describe, including years/timeframe:
Personality & Everyday Life What were their most notable personality traits, and how did those traits shape their legacy?
What they were known for in their family or community?
If you could describe your family member in three words, what would they be, and what do you hope future generations remember most about them?
Did he/she have any hobbies or special interests?
Did he/she play sports or have a favorite sports team?
What were their favorite foods, music, or holiday traditions? Describe in detail.
Stories & Character Do you know a favorite story or memory about them? Was there something they always said, or a phrase associated with them?
What was a significant challenge or hardship they overcame? What were the major turning points in their life, and what circumstances surrounded each one? What does it show about their character?
What is the best piece of advice or the most important life lesson he/she passed down to your family?
How would you characterize their personal faith or spiritual worldview?
Were they ever in the newspaper? If so, for what?
Legacy & Closing Did they leave behind written records like diaries, memoirs, or final letters? If so, what was the message to you/future generations?
Is there any other information you'd like to share about your family member? Is there anything you want future generations to know about him/her?
If your family member has died, when and where did he/she die? If you'd like to share, what was the cause of death? Where is he/she buried?
Photo Captions: For each photo uploaded, describe the photo (ex. Photo 1: Baby photo of John, 1945; Photo 2: high school graduation, 1963, etc.)
Research Add-On-tell us what to dig into: What specifically would you like for us to research about your family member(ex, military service, significant event that might be captured in a newspaper, etc)?
Please provide any details that would help us support this research:
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