How to Transform a Father’s WWII Letters into a Fascinating Story – Begin Writing Family History with these 5 Tips

The pile of letters the father of my reader Donna sent to his sister in Chicago while he was stationed in India during WWII, including the silk he sent for making a dress.

Writing family history based on a cache of old letters is a particular challenge. However, it is so worthwhile!

Letters provide a personal lens on history. They answer the question, “What was it like (to live through the Great Depression, or fight in Vietnam, or get through the Spanish Flu Epidemic…)?”

Letters give us a portr...