Make a Family Directory
for your Family Reunion

by Bobbi Ann Johnson Holmes

                When planning a family reunion, you’ve undoubtedly assembled a complete list of addresses and contact information from family members. Utilize this information to create a family directory to hand out at the family reunion. Your relatives will appreciate the complete family address book, and it will serve as a jumpstart for your family’s next reunion.

Family Bio and Photo

                Take the family directory a step farther, and request that each individual family email or snail-mail you a brief family update, along with a photograph.  It will be a snap if most family members email the information.  Urge those family members, who don’t use email, to use the email of a friend to send you the summary and a current digital photo of the family. Have them cut and paste the update into a body of an email, to make it easier for you to cut and paste the text into the body of your family directory document.
                Since most people have access to cell phones with cameras, it shouldn’t be difficult for even the non-tech relatives to get a friend to snap a current photo of the family and send it directly to your email.
                Consider adding additional information to the directory, such as anniversaries or birthdays. Save yourself time, and ask for this information when you request their bio, photo and other contact information.

Complete Contact Information

                In the directory, include the names of family members, the photo and bio, along with complete contact information, including address, phone numbers and email address. Don’t forget links to family websites.
                Create the document using a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word. Cut and paste the text into the document and insert the digital images. You’ll have to do some typing and scanning, for those who don’t use a digital format in sending you the information.

Compare Printing Prices and Options

                Look around for printing options. You might decide to print the booklet at the office supply store, and bind using staples or a comb binding. If you want to get really fancy, check out Lulu.com, and look into their printing options for large orders.
                If you have your family history data entered into a genealogy software program, consider printing out an ancestral or descendant chart to add to the book.
If you are limited in time, money and skill, at least make a printout of the family member’s contact information to hand out at the reunion.