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It is likely no surprise to you all that I like storytellers. I can hear the same stories over and over again and live them again and again. While I’m not a great storyTELLER myself, I do love storyWRITING. I’ve enjoyed taking a quick story of my grandfather’s and adding tidbits of facts, maps, and other things happening at the same time. It adds color and cements the story in a time and place that otherwise just hangs in space.
I love reading and listening to stories, as they always pull a story out of me. I listen to two podcasts in the car while driving to work: The Moth and This American Life. I make SIRI put notes down for me to tell or write a story later.
I noticed that on May 20, CGS is hosting a class with Linda Okazaki called, “Once Upon a Time… Creating Compelling Stories Out of Mundane Facts.” It’s both online and in person at the Oakland FamilySearch Library and I will sadly be out of town. If it’s recorded, it will be one that I make time to listen to, but if you all attend, I’d love to hear the stories it sparks for you!
Here is the link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/once-upon-a-timecreating-compelling-stories-out-of-mundane-facts-registration-1985416651651
And speaking of Storytelling, one of my favorite books is by Dave Grohl called, “Storyteller.” It doesn’t really matter if you know him, don’t know him, love him, or hate him. He’s a great storyteller and reading it sparked some stories out of me! Link via Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-storyteller-tales-of-life-and-music-dave-grohl/c163a5666a03dd4e?ean=9780063076105&next=t
Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
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Calendar view: https://www.californiaancestors.org/cgs_calendar/
Tips & Talk: Oakland FamilySearch Center Family History Classes: https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/oakland_california/classes
MAY
2026