An easy way to begin
Here are the key steps for collecting someone’s life story with FamilyStories or telling your own.
For anyone preserving precious memories
You take the first step and help someone preserve their memories for your family.
Bring it up at a quiet moment and give the person time. A personal invitation usually feels easier than a long explanation.
Briefly explain what to expect: FamilyStories guides them through their life with questions tailored to them. They can record their memories by speaking or writing and decide what they want to share.
The short introductory questions help FamilyStories tailor the questions to this person and their life. Answer as honestly as you can. There are no right or wrong answers.
No set of questions can capture every life. Add, edit, or remove questions so they truly fit the person.
To add or edit your own question:
Don’t worry if you chose something by mistake or left something out of the questionnaire when you created the story. You can change the introductory answers at any time. The questions will then be tailored to the person again.
To change the introductory answers:
Start by adding your own profile photo. It helps other people in your family circle recognize you more easily.
To add your profile photo:
There are two ways to choose an image for the story. Upload a photo of your own, or link the story to the person telling it in your family circle. When you do, their profile photo is used for the story automatically.
Choose a photo that suits this life story and position it for the home screen.
Choose the person telling the story. Their profile photo will then be used for the story automatically.
There are three ways to collect answers. Together, choose whichever feels easiest for the person telling their story.
Open the story while you are together and capture the answer as text or a voice recording in your app.
After the App Store launch, the person downloads the app, joins your family circle with the invitation code, and continues their story there.
No app or sign-in needed. The personal link opens the questions directly on a phone or computer.
On the home screen and in each story, you can see how many questions have been answered. “Continue your story” takes you straight to the next unanswered question.
You can also share individual memories. Open an answered question and tap the share icon in the top right. It’s a lovely way to share one special moment with your family.
Good to know
A life story can grow slowly. These small habits make storytelling easier and help you find and preserve special memories.
A life story takes time. Talk about it regularly, share how the story is growing, and tell them what moved you about a memory. Genuine praise gives someone the confidence to keep going.
Tell the person they can simply speak their answers. In the app, their spoken words are automatically turned into text. You can turn recordings made through the invitation link into text later in your app.
Create a family tree and add the people in your family. It gives memories more context and makes your family history even more personal.
Mark special questions with the star. This makes their answers easy to find, even when you have collected many memories, so you can return to them at any time.
Remind the person that an answer does not need to be long or perfectly written. One sentence, a voice recording, or a small moment from the past can be just as meaningful. It all matters.
When the story is complete, you can save it as a PDF and use it as the basis for a printed family book. Many individual answers become something your family can keep close for years to come.
For anyone telling their own story
Whether you started the story yourself or were invited, choose the questions that feel right and tell your story in your own way.
Take your time looking through the chapters and questions. Is an important part of your life missing?
You can adjust the questions in the app at any time, no matter who created the story.
Open a question and choose “Text” or “Voice”. In the app, your spoken words are automatically turned into text.
If you are using an invitation link in your browser, the recording can be turned into text later in the app.
You decide which questions you want to answer and what you would rather keep to yourself. If a question does not fit your life, you can skip it.
Simply open the app or the same invitation link again when you are ready. You can then carry on telling your story.
Good to know
Your life story can grow at your own pace. These gentle prompts can help memories surface and make it easier to return to your story.
One memory today is enough. Take a break and return to your life story whenever it feels right.
One sentence can be just as meaningful as a long story. Every answer becomes part of your life story.
Think of a familiar place, a particular smell, or the people who were there. One small detail often leads to another memory.
Some memories come more easily when you give them a little space. These are only suggestions. Try whatever feels right for you.
You don’t need perfect sentences. Simply speak or write naturally. There is no right or wrong way.
We’re always happy to help.
