The Relative Writer

Resources for Writing & Sharing Family History

Welcome

I’m Kat, and I’ve been searching for and telling stories all my life. I’ve made my living as a journalist, freelance writer, editor and corporate communicator. Now, I write & edit family stories and history-based articles and books. I also build family history websites, blogs and online groups. The reason for creating this website is to provide resources for others who wish to share their stories and connect with others over a shared past.

Research

Writing

Editing

Websites

Social Media

Books & Booklets

What I Do

For more information visit About in the menu.

Writing

Three decades producing researched and interview-based articles plus blog posts, website content, marketing/public relations material, and more. Certificate in content marketing, and a proponent of plain language.

Editing

Experience editing articles, newsletters and books including a genealogy society journal working with professional and amateur writers to produce a quality publication for members and the family history community.

Online

Building and managing websites, social media profiles, forums and groups. Expertise with WordPress and Blogger/Blogspot, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and more. Certificate in social media marketing.

Articles

On this site you'll find articles that I've written on writing, storytelling, genealogy and historical research that might be of use to family historians, especially those wishing to tell their ancestral stories. To view articles by subject, use the top menu or the side menu on a post page.

Design Tips for Self-publishing Your Family History
Crowds in Victoria Cause New Virus Cases
The Pickles Pipemakers of Patrick Pool
An Island Struggles Through 1918
Debunking the Black Irish Myth
How the First World War Changed the Work Place
How to Avoid Plagiarizing
Illustrating Your Family History
The Importance of Context in Storytelling
Journalism Techniques for Genealogists
Family History Book — Part 5: Results
Family History Book — Part 4: Printing