Desktop Publishing Your Family History Book

Photo Layouts In Your Family History Book

Pictures of places are just as important as people in your family history book.

Mel Curtis / Getty Images

• Consistency - Since your photos may come in a variety of sizes, orientation, and quality, a grid will help provide visual consistency throughout the book.
• Grouping - Where possible, place photos near the text (narrative or charts) describing the individuals in the picture. Group photos from the same branch of the family tree on the same page or group of pages. Accompany narratives with photos of the key people in that story.
• Timeline - Create a photographic timeline such as a series of group shots from a family reunion taken over successive years. Pair a wedding photo of a couple with a photo from their 50th anniversary.
• Better Charts - Enhance an otherwise dull chart with a headshot of the "head" of each primary branch of the family.
• Replace a Drop Cap - Instead of an initial cap, cut in a photo at the start of a narrative rather than placing it "tombstone" style over the top of the story.
• Captions - Captions are especially important in a family history book. Attempt to identify each person in a photo. For very large groups of people where identification of everyone is impossible, at least caption the photo with information about when and where the photo was taken. Use a consistent caption style throughout your book.
• Places - In addition to photos of people, include photos of significant buildings or other locations including homesteads, churches, or family cemetaries. If possible, place the photos near the text describing these locations.
• Other Pictures - Beyond photos, you may use clip art or line drawings in your book but use restraint. Don't clutter your pages with irrelevant images. Of course, if your family tree includes a talented sketch artist who can do portraits of family members - do enlist their help.

• Design, Layout, Printing for a Family History Book
• Software for Your Family History Book
• Narratives for Your Family History Book
• Charts in Your Family History Book
• Editing Photos in Your Family History Book
• Photo Layouts In Your Family History Book
• Using Maps, Letters, and Other Documents in a Family History Book
• Creating a Table of Contents and Index for Your Family History Book
• Print and Bind Your Family History Book
• Your Family History Book: Start to Finish