Many family reunions and visits to areas where ancestors lived where made by families this summer. We hope you have considered writing a family story to preserve these memories that can vanish like dust in the wind.

Creating a story can be rewarding yet demanding and time consuming. Helpful hints offered here, especially for the first time writer, can also be of help to the experienced writer.

1. Begin the writing project with an introduction to place your family in historical context. What is the time period? What else was happening in the world? How did the family come to be at the location where you first introduce them?

2. Present details of the event in the body of the story. You may want to enhance the story by adding anecdotes found in personal diaries or letters or related to you by a relative.

3. Write a conclusion.

A helpful resource is Rita Binkley Worthy's book, "Write Your Family History." Watch for more details about the contest. We look forward to receiving and reading your entry in the 2006 Family History Writing Contest!

The Oklahoma Genealogical Society’s Family Story Writing Contest provides the opportunity for researchers to share special family stories with fellow genealogists. The stories may be historically or ethnically important, humorous, or just plain interesting.

Eligibility: All family historians/genealogists are invited to submit their favorite story or stories. There is a special category for students, age 15 or younger
Current Oklahoma Genealogical Board members are not eligible.

Rules:
1. Stories must be typed and double-spaced on 8 ½ X 11” paper. The story title and page number must be typed in top right hand corner of each page.
2. Provide a separate cover page that includes the story title, your name, and your mailing address.
3. Stories should be 3000 words or less and indicate that you have researched the events by citing your resources. Family group sheets and pedigree charts can be included if pertinent.
4 Stories must be original and unpublished.
5. Send four (4) copies of the story postmarked by February 15, 2006 to:

OGS Family Story Writing Contest - 2006
P. O. Box 12986
Oklahoma City, OK 73157

Entries may also be submitted at a regularly scheduled society meeting.

Judging:
All entries will become the property of the society. Winning stories will be selected based on content, indication of research conducted, and quality of expression.
The decision of the judges is final.
Awards:
First place winner will receive $50
Second place winner will receive $30
Third place winner will receive $20
Winning stories will be published in the Oklahoma Genealogical Society Quarterly.
Winners will be announced at the OGS Spring Seminar FFTT Luncheon, April 1,2006.
Entry Form for Family Story Writing Contest

Title of Story__________________________________________

Name________________________________________________

Street Address_________________________________________

City, ST, Zip __________________________________________

Telephone ____________________________________________

Email ___________________________@__________________

Check box if under 15 age category [_]
All entries will become property of the society.
They will be donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society and published in the Oklahoma Genealogical Society Quarterly.

I give permission for my story to be printed in the Oklahoma Genealogical Society Quarterly:
Signature _________________________________________________

Mail entry no later than February 15, 2006 to:
OGS Family Story Writing Contest
Post Office Box 12986
Oklahoma City, OK 73157

For more information about the Family Story Writing Contest, read the OGS Quarterly or visit the society’s Web site at: www.rootsweb.com/~okgs. please contact: Sharon_Burns