You can search all over the web and find out how to write someone’s biography. You may have even done a few while you were in school. But do you really remember how to do it? In this post and the next few to come, we will review those lessons in hopes that you will be more prepared to write a biography of someone you love and/or admire. First, you really should gather as much information as you can about the person you want to write about. Did they write a journal or diary? Do you have pictures and/or video of that person? What about significant official documents like birth certificates, birth announcements, high school diplomas, school yearbooks, marriage licenses, college diplomas, and even a death certificate if this person is no longer with us? Gathering this basic information together will take a little bit of time and dedication on your part. After all, you are creating a memorial of sorts for this person you should take your time.
Next, you will need to interview this person’s friends and family members. Depending on who this person is you may have to write or email their family and friends with an introduction of yourself and what you want to do. If this person is a family member, hopefully, your job will be easier and your other family members will be willing to help. There is usually one person in each family that acts as a sort of historian for the family. Genealogical researchers in the family are the best as they have gathered information such as documents, pictures, journals and will usually have an updated address, phone number and email listing of the other family members who knew the person well. They can also point you in the direction of this person’s friends who may still be around to help in your research. The non-family research will be discussed in the next posting.
