GEN-EDITOR-L Archives

From: Joan Marie Meyering <>
Subject: NEWSLETTERS
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 22:01:43 -0800

Ana Downey,

Sorry, but I differ with a couple of the other opinions expressed. I
started a one-family newsletter ten years ago. It has been successful
as far as I am concerned, thanks to many people and specific reasons. I
would do them separately and probably hold off on the second one for a
year or so because you will learn as you go and can incorporate what you
have learned in doing the first one so that you do not make the same
mistakes again. See what I mean? There is a new book out on doing
family newsletters - sorry I can't find it to give you the title and
author. She focussed mainly on the type that communicates family
comings and goings etc, and includes gossipy update contributions from
the various families. Mine is the type that disseminates research
information to everyone for them to use in putting their families
together. I have tons and tons of original source material I have found
over the years and couldn't see keeping it all to myself. Looking back
on it after 8 years or so I realized that this has advantages over doing
a book because, while a book represents what you know at one specific
time, a newsletter lets you and others constantly build on what you (and
others) are finding out. It also keeps the money coming in from month
or year to year. Now when people want to buy the back issues too, I
know I am going to get a healthy sum! How you do it will really depend
on what you envision it being and what you think will appeal to your
families.

Joan Marie in Oregon

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• NEWSLETTERS by Joan Marie Meyering <>