Family Story Writing Contest 

Do you have a great story about your family? Any stories of struggles, immigration, or  “black sheep”?   That story may be a winner. 
Why not share it in 2500 words or less.

The Oklahoma Genealogical Society’s (OGS) Family History Writing Contest provides the
opportunity for researchers to share special family stories with fellow genealogists. The stories may be historically or ethnically important, humorous, or just plain interesting. Writing a family history story will preserve that precious memory and history for descendants. 

There is no entry fee for the contest, and membership in OGS is not required although dues are a low $20 per calendar year for an individual or $25 for family memberships at the same address. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at the Oklahoma History Center, with a speaker on some area of interest to genealogists. Members receive the OGS Quarterly and are invited to submit free queries as well as receiving a discount on workshops, seminars and other events. 

Here are some helpful hints for both beginners and the experienced writer.

• Even very short stories must have a beginning, middle and an ending. Your family history story should, too.

 


• Focus on one event. Write your story from beginning to end without stopping to edit or re-write.




• Then when you have told the story, go back and clean up the grammar and cut unnecessary words if the story is too long.




• Start with the action – grab your reader by the throat and don’t let go. You need to catch your reader’s interest in the opening sentence. 




• Give the reader a sense of place from the beginning of your story. Where and when is this event happening? What else was going on in the rest of the world that may have influenced your family’s actions?




• In your editing phase, spell out abbreviations, use complete sentences, watch your grammar and avoid hyphenation. Break the story into paragraphs to make it easier to read. You might ask someone who is good in English to proofread your story before submitting it.




• Sources are important. Collect any resources you can find to document the story facts such as family Bible, census record, land record, birth and death certificates, photographs, etc. Enter the sources as footnotes or endnotes and attach copies (not originals) of the documentation.




• Be sure the entry form is attached to your entry and includes: Title of manuscript, whether entering the adult or student category, estimated word count, author’s name and complete mailing address. You should also include your phone number and email address in case the contest chair needs to contact you about a problem with your entry. The entry form is removed before your manuscript is delivered to the judges. A downloadable entry form and rules can be found here.




• Entering the contest acknowledges you give permission for your story to be published, and that information and photos concerning the winners may be published in local media. 

1. Stories must be typed in a standard font (not italic or script), double-spaced on one side of standard letter-size 8.5" x 11" paper, which prints about 250 words per page. Entries must be a maximum of 2500 words, plus attachments.




2. Story title and page number must be shown in upper right corner of each page.
    

3. The entry form includes the story title, your name, your mailing address, email address and phone, approximate word count, and whether entering the Adult or Student category. The entry form will be used to identify and notify the winners when manuscripts are returned from judging.
   

4. Indicate that you have researched the events by citing your sources as footnotes or endnotes, and attach copies (not originals) of the documentation, which is not included in word count.
   

5. Family group sheets and pedigree charts should be included if pertinent (also not included in word count)
   

 

6. Stories must be original and unpublished at time of entry.
   

7. Include a Stamped Self Addressed Envelope (SASE) if you wish your manuscript and the judge’s comments (if any) to be returned to you.
   

8. Submit entry form with four (4) copies of your story at the December, January or February OGS meeting registration desk, or by US mail postmarked by January 30, 2010 (sooner is  better) to:
          OGS Family History Writing Contest
            P. O. Box 12986
            Oklahoma City, OK 73157
   

Judging:

Winning stories will be selected by a panel of judges. Judging is based on content, research, documentation, and quality of story. Decision of judges is final. Winners will be notified in March, and prizes will be presented to authors at the OGS Spring Seminar on 3 April 2010.

Awards:

        First place -       $50
        Second place -   $30
        Third place -      $20
        Honorable mention - Ribbon

_____________________________

The entry form and rules may be downloaded by clicking format.
choose    MSWord Format       or        PDF Format
_____________________________

Entry Form for Family History Writing Contest

Title of Story_____________________________________________________________

Approximate word count______Number of pages in entry including documentation _____

Author’s Name_____________________________________________________________

Street Address_____________________________________________________________

City, ST, Zip _______________________________________________________________

Telephone __________________Email___________________@______________________

Category (circle one)    Adult   or   Student*           If student, please give age _____

Please keep a copy for your files. Entries will not be returned unless received with a
stamped self-addressed envelope. One copy of the entry will be donated to the Oklahoma
Historical Library and may be published in the Oklahoma Genealogical Society Quarterly.
Entering the contest means you give permission for your story to be published, and that
information and photos concerning the winners may be published in local media. Submit entry form with four (4) copies of your story at the December, January or February OGS
meeting registration desk, or by US mail postmarked by January 30, 2010 to:

     OGS Family History Writing Contest
      Post Office Box 12986
      Oklahoma City, OK 73157

Entries may also be submitted at the Dec, Jan or Feb, 2010 OGS meeting. 

If you have more questions, contact the contest chairperson: Carolyn Leonard

_____________________________

The entry form and rules may be downloaded by clicking format.
choose    MSWord Format       or        PDF Format
_____________________________

Oklahoma Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 12986, Oklahoma City, OK 73157