Historical fiction brings the past to life by weaving real events, settings, and customs with fictional narratives. For many writers, genealogy serves as a powerful tool in crafting authentic and compelling stories. By using real historical records, family research, and ancestral experiences, authors can add depth and realism to their fiction while preserving family and cultural history.
Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a genealogist looking to turn research into stories, this guide will show you how to use genealogy to inspire historical fiction writing—from character development to world-building and plot creation.
Why Use Genealogy in Historical Fiction?
Genealogy provides a real-life foundation for historical fiction, making stories more authentic, engaging, and emotionally powerful. Here’s why it’s valuable:
✅ Authenticity: Real family stories bring historical accuracy and depth to fiction.
✅ Unique Perspectives: Your ancestors’ experiences can inspire original narratives.
✅ Emotional Connection: Writing about real struggles and triumphs makes stories more compelling.
✅ Built-In Research: Genealogy provides a timeline, locations, and characters to work with.
✅ Preserving Family History: Fictionalizing real stories ensures they are not forgotten.
Let’s explore how genealogy can guide you through the writing process!
1. Finding Story Inspiration in Genealogical Research
Your family tree and historical records are treasure troves of inspiration. Here’s how to start:
🔎 Researching Family Stories
- Look for fascinating ancestors: Who in your tree had an interesting or mysterious life?
- Identify major historical events that shaped their lives.
- Read diaries, letters, or newspaper articles for personal details.
📜 Finding Unique Hooks in Your Family History
Some intriguing genealogical discoveries can inspire entire novels:
- A long-lost family secret (hidden marriages, illegitimate children, lost fortunes).
- Mysterious disappearances or unsolved events in family records.
- Immigrant ancestors overcoming hardships in a new land.
- An ancestor who fought in a war or played a role in historical events.
- Family connections to royalty, crime, or espionage.
🛠️ Useful Genealogy Research Tools
- FamilySearch (familysearch.org) – Free access to millions of historical records.
- Ancestry (ancestry.com) – Census records, military documents, and DNA insights.
- Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov) – Search old newspapers for family stories.
- Find A Grave (findagrave.com) – Learn about ancestors’ lives through cemetery records.
👉 Tip: Use historical timelines to see what was happening in the world during your ancestors’ lifetimes! (History Timeline Tool)
2. Developing Characters Using Genealogy
Once you’ve uncovered intriguing family history, turn it into rich, believable characters.
🧬 Building Characters Based on Ancestors
Ask yourself:
- What was their daily life like?
- What struggles did they face in their time period?
- How did cultural norms shape their decisions?
- Did they leave behind personal letters or records that hint at their personality?
📖 Writing Multi-Generational Stories
Some of the best historical fiction spans generations, tracing a family’s evolution over time. Consider:
- A dual timeline novel (past and present).
- A saga covering multiple generations.
- A time-slip story, where modern characters uncover family secrets.
🔹 Example: Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden follows a multi-generational mystery connected to the past.
👉 Tip: If you lack details on an ancestor, use historical context to imagine their life!
3. Creating Authentic Historical Settings
Historical fiction must transport readers into the past. Genealogy helps ground settings in real places and times.
🌍 Using Genealogical Research for World-Building
- Birthplaces & Migration: Where did your ancestors live? Research old maps and census records.
- Jobs & Social Status: What professions did they hold? What was daily life like?
- Historical Events: How did wars, plagues, or social movements impact their lives?
🏛️ Finding Historical Records for Authentic Settings
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Library of Congress) – Shows historical city layouts.
- Ellis Island Records (libertyellisfoundation.org) – For stories about immigration.
- Digitized Historic Cookbooks (Feeding America Project) – Authentic period recipes!
👉 Tip: Look at vintage photos and newspapers to recreate realistic historical settings.
4. Using Real Documents & Artifacts in Storytelling
Historical fiction often weaves in real documents, heirlooms, and letters.
📜 How to Incorporate Historical Artifacts
- Letters & Diaries: Use real family letters to inspire dialogue.
- Old Wills & Deeds: Plot idea: A will reveals a hidden inheritance or family feud.
- Photos & Heirlooms: A protagonist discovers a mysterious item leading to the past.
🔹 Example: In The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a diary helps connect the past and present.
👉 Tip: Old handwriting styles can inspire authentic period dialogue!
5. Turning Genealogy into a Historical Fiction Novel
Once you have characters, setting, and artifacts, start writing!
📌 Steps to Get Started:
1️⃣ Choose an ancestor or time period as your focus.
2️⃣ Research their historical context (social customs, events).
3️⃣ Develop fictionalized versions of real people.
4️⃣ Outline key conflicts and story arcs.
5️⃣ Write, revise, and seek beta readers (other genealogists and history lovers).
✏️ Writing Prompts
- Imagine your ancestor writing a letter about a life-changing event.
- Write about an ancestor’s immigration journey—why did they leave?
- Use an old family recipe to start a scene in a historical kitchen.
🔹 Example: Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino weaves a family mystery through past letters and research.
👉 Tip: Join genealogy-focused writing groups for feedback! (National Genealogical Society)
Final Thoughts: Turning Genealogy into Fiction That Lives On
Genealogy isn’t just about preserving history—it’s about telling the stories that history forgot. Whether you’re writing about a real ancestor or using research to create fictional characters, genealogy offers a wealth of inspiration for historical fiction.
Start digging through your family tree, uncover hidden tales, and bring the past to life through storytelling.
Are you using genealogy in your writing? Share your ideas in the comments! ✍️📜✨
Additional Writing & Genealogy Resources:
📖 Historical Fiction Writing Tips: Writer’s Digest
📜 Historical Research for Writers: The British Library
📚 Genealogy Books & Guides: NGS Store
🔖 Save this post for later & start writing your historical fiction today! 📜✨
Jackie's Genealogy 
Leave a comment