All Workshops held at  Williamson Hall, behind Jake’s Diner.
Come get help or give support to fellow Genealogy Writers working on their family history narratives!

THE BGS LIBRARY IS OPEN EACH WORKSHOP THURSDAY 11am to 4pm -  COME EARLY, BRING A LUNCH, COFFEE ETC...MAKE IT A WRITING DAY!

check back for more Information on the
2026 Ancestor Short Story Project

Our Ancestor Short Story Get Writing Workshops are for anyone who is writing a short story about their ancestors.

BGS Members may choose to submit their story for our BGS Publication or NOT! While the publication is for member submissions only, the Writing Workshops are open for anyone to attend if they are working on a short story about an ancestor.

We'll be there along with other participants that bring their own experience & knowledge to share. It’s a workshop so we all can help each other!

Registration is required & you should bring your laptop, journal or digital notebook. We have Wi-Fi & extension outlets for your use. The workshops are free to members and non-members. You can support & share with each other while we work on our stories.

 
Kelly McCray
is the host for the Ancestor Short Story Project Workshops. 
She is a member of the BGS Leadership Council, host of Coffee & Cousins, and is the editor of our newsletter, Distant Voices.
She has been researching her family history for 35+ years and
began writing their stories, several years ago.
She has helped numerous people find their ancestors
and solve family mysteries with DNA.
She looks forward to helping you write your ancestor's story.

2024 / 2025 ANCESTOR SHORT STORY SCHEDULE
ALL WORKSHOPS ARE ON THURSDAYS, IN-PERSON AT WILLIAMSON HALL

• Sep 26, 2024 – 1 PM to 3 PM

Ancestor Short Story Orientation & Writing Workshop -
Introduction to the project with Kelly McCray and Short Story Writing with Pat Kliewer, who will instruct about writing specifically for this project. Optional, bring your laptop.

• Oct 24, 2024—Nov 14, 2024—Dec 12, 2024—Jan 23, 2025 -
  1 PM to 3 PM

Writing Workshops - Short story writers are welcome to come work on their story & ask for help and advice.

• Feb 27, 2025 – 1 PM to 3 PM

Using Source Citations - Learn How to Create Source Citations for Your Short Story. Explore the different types of citations commonly used in storytelling and practice crafting your own including the citation for your own short story. Bring your laptop. 

• Apr 17, 2025 – 1 PM to 3 PM

Using Graphics & Photos - We'll go through a variety of examples and how to steps when working with photos and graphics. Try adding a picture to your own short story. Bring your laptop.

• Apr 3, 10, 24, & May 1 2025 – 11 AM to 3 PM
  

Finishing Your Short Story Workshops
Come to the Library on any or all the above Thursdays. Work on your story and do some final editing. We can help review your story, suggest some edits and steps to submit your final product. Bring your laptop.

• May 15, 2025

Submission Deadline
BGS Members Only - Email your story to distantvoicesnl@gmail.com to have it included in the BGS Ancestor Story Book.