ABSTRACT

This chapter considers both ethical and practical methodological questions about family history as a life writing practice. It explores what kinds of stories we can tell with and about family history, and considers the narrative choices that are required in selecting which events or ancestors to omit or include in our texts or analysis. To offer concrete guidance, I outline three narrative approaches to writing family history as an “inspiration kit”. I then discuss the ethical issues that may arise when we tell shared stories or narrate experiences that present different sensitivities for various family members or communities of readers.