How To Write a Memoir, or Similar Piece of History, To Become a Part of Your Own Heritage Gift
 by Neridah Kentwell 

According to the Macquarie Dictionary memoirs can be  records of facts or events in connection with a particular subject, historical period etc., as known to the writer or gathered from special sources.They can also be records of one's own life and experiences.
You don't have to be famous to have your memoir published, if that is your goal, but without 'people' fame it needs to stand out from the crowd, so it's the skill of presention that will help get you noticed.
Writing about every day life of past generations is still important to fill in our history's gaps that were left by the official one-sided reports. These reports were created by the ruling governments and often the wealthy were the only other people to record their ideas; so we need to hear more about the 'real' people. Remember this if you feel your story seems insignificant.

Your words can be fact or include fiction, but if you do use fiction, or presumption, make sure the reader knows what is true and what isn't. You could say 'I imagine that my great grandmother said...', alternatively you could write a preface to the book saying the dialogue was based on family stories passed down and are not necessarily true.

There is also a new genre now called creative nonfiction where authors use real events in history and create a story around it. But of course, somewhere in the book it has to be acknowledged that while real events and perhaps some real people were used, the rest was from the author's own imagination.

Another important aspect in writing a memoir or family history for publication is to be aware of your own personal biases and to try and avoid them, so that it is kept professional. A journalist always needs to stay neutral in relation to his own feelings when reporting the news!

A good slant is a necessity for any non fiction writing and makes the story more appealing, particularly to a target audience e.g. all the women in a certain family or perhaps a particular time period. You should also report on other views held at the time, as well as other characters, to keep it accurate and perhaps explain why things occurred as they did.

You can't cover everything that happened, as a beginner you may be tempted to try, but that would also be considered unprofessional. Your work should concentrate on the parts you consider most significant. Focus on a time frame, event, character or occupation to give it coherence. Actually travelling to the places mentioned will bring greater understanding, while you must still use your imagination as to how it would have been after researching the times.

While writing skill is great to have, enthusiasm is even better. This is achieved by writing early in your research, and doing it quickly and with passion.Editing later by yourself or with another can usually fix most problems.There is at least one dyslexic great famous Australian writer out there, who was fortunate enough to have an editor see past the first, hand written mess she presented ( I am thinking of Jackie French). That isn't to say you shouldn't make sure your work isn't neatly typed with all the usual recommendations like wide margins, a cover page and alternative titles etc.,  but just that some people really can stand out in a crowd.

Also remember to use and include photos where you can. They will tell so much of the period without a single more word needing to be said, and will help you place yourself into the era and these peoples' minds, so you can get to know them better as you write.

These paragraphs will be  just a start to your writing history education, where you will head down a wonderful, though at times exasperating or painful, journey.Once you've finished writing your family's story, what about your own? Enjoy it and keep learning.

Neridah