Give the next generation your family history book.

Been planning to write a book?

Kids pressuring you to record your stories? Not a writer? 

Get your life story family history storybook written and published. 


It is easy to have your own book written and published.

At Heirloom Films and Storybooks we specialize in helping you record, preserve, and share your life story, family history and old photos. Imagine giving beautiful print storybooks that will be the source of delightful bedtime stories for your family's youngsters for generations! If you've been thinking of writing your memoirs this for you. 

With simple interviews and your old photos you'll be giving the most amazing gifts...your storybook!

The process of making a book is quite simple and can be accomplished at your pace in-person, by phone and through the internet. We offer complete bookmaking services including  research, genealogy, photography, custom graphic design, layout, and imposition, memoir writing, editing, proofreading, printing, and delivery!

You'll start out the process by completing a simple questionnaire that start to outline the chapters of your book. Contact us for your free consultation and Book Questionnaire.


Example 

Gaskell & Hartley: Under A Cloud and In The Jungle

This life story family history book is about love. And it’s about betrayal. It’s also about determination and hope.

In 1912 he left England with the love of his life. It’s true he was married to someone else and she had done something mad with his brother. His brother said that never happened.

They made a new life and a little girl came along. But later a car ended his life on the way to work one day. She grew up and married a handsome rugby player.

War came. He was stationed near Singapore. He was killed in action during a fierce battle in the jungle.

But she lived on and raised her daughters who now bless their grandchildren.

>>>Click here to flip through this book and see how old love letters, photos, genealogy, and stories can inspire the next generation in a book.  

 
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Pamela G Nurse

A Complex Story Told Simply

 

I so loved how Cory was able to pull together all the different parts of my mother and father's story and weave it all together. It's been thrilling to give this book to my grandchildren, nieces and nephews. I think my mother would be proud!


Example

Metal Of The Earth: The Story of Peter William Cassidy And His Family

Metal of The Earth

Metal of The Earth is a classic 8" x 10" family history book specifically designed for bedtime stories. It has 60 full colour inside pages with some imagery bleeding off the page making the book and the stories appear bigger.

Personal historian Cory Bretz designed this book working with the Cassidy family members who were each on different continents - all entirely online. Using Zoom, Cory interviewed Peter Cassidy in Australia and at the same time Peter's sister was in England scanning and uploading the family's photos.

Peter wrote most of the stories in the last half of the book with Cory providing editing, proofreading, and design. The first part of the book is filled with memoir writing by Cory with Peter reviewing the text.

Just before the book was finalized and sent for printing, Peter's son and daughter-in-law were due to have a baby within several months. Rather than wait to publish the book or leave out the baby, an ultrasound photo of the soon-to-arrive baby was included in the book!

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My mum and dad were both so happy because they got to contribute their own writings. The finished book is absolutely gorgeous. We mailed it out to family members all over the world! It was easy to work with Cory.

Celine C , Daughter
Introducing the Spouse

Example

The Story Of MWO Kenneth Gordon Tutte, SK62292

Tutte Book
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My Husband Would Be Thrilled He's In The Book

Velma T - Proud Grandma

I am so happy to have gotten my book done. I gave each of my kids and grandkids their own copy. Our book is special because it is a tribute to my husband Ken who has already passed on. With this book, we will both be in the lives of our great grandkids! Thanks Heirloom Films & Storybooks!

Listen up, Soldier!


When you meet Val Tutte, you know right away what kind of a person she is. Easy to smile, happy to laugh – making sure you feel welcome and loved. She volunteered her entire life, serving and caring and helping wherever she could.

Val tied her apron string to a Canadian defender and sent him off with a prayer more than once. Their daughters all served in uniform in some way and are proud of their parents and country. Ken Tutte, “The broken-down motorboat”, as several people said, “tut tut tut…” was a brave but ordinary soul who did his duty with focus and commitment so that others may live better, survive.

And that’s how Val approached this book. “I want to tell the story of Ken in the PPCLI – Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. They were amazing people.”

She allowed access to “The Military Room”, the converted bedroom at the end of the hall. Then she gave a concise briefing about a young corporal she’d met 64 years ago. Ken passed away in 2006. ” Val said, “I want you to make me a book about our life.”

“Listen up, soldier”, is what Master Warrant Officer Kenneth Gordon Tutte would have said, gently but firmly.


The Process of Making Your Storybook


The process of having your storybook created and printed involves several steps. First we discuss the parameters of your book, that is, the physical dimensions, the approximate number of pages, the imagery you may have, and we review any previously written text you may already have. Interviews are conducted to gather the stories, writing and editing conducted to make the text easily readable in short story format - perfect for kid's bedtime stories. Then we capture in high resolution any paper print photos and mementos that you'd like included in your storybook. Genealogical data and family trees can also be included.

Various design options are discussed and your book is laid out using professional graphic design software and paginated for printing. You'll get to review Draft #1, make suggestions for change, additions, and deletions. Then you'll receive Draft #2, and potentially Draft #3. Once it's just right, your book is uploaded to a reputable online book publishing company and you can order your copies and have them shipped directly to you or your relatives! 

The process of creating a print storybook can take several months to more than a year depending on the availability of your story tellers to provide info, the complexity and volume of the content, and the speed of reviews and re-edits/re-designs. 

Storybooks make the perfect gift either in it's final printed version or as a gift certificate for someone to start the storybook making process and tell their story.  If someone is to be featured in a book like a parent or grandparent, we don't recommend making a book about them without their participation. Instead, get them involved. They'll thank you later! 

Our Storybook making process is well suited for parents, grandparents and families who want to pass on their story in book form but don't have time to do the writing and compiling themselves.


>>>To get started with your storybook project arrange your Free Consultation


Personal Historian Cory Bretz with fellow happy bookmakers!

Personal Historian Cory Bretz (fourth on the right) seen learning with fellow professional bookmakers!

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