Finally Finish Your First Family Story
Next sprint January 21-February 4, 2026.
Limited to 30 participants.
You have decades of research. It's time to write the story.In 10 days, you'll transform scattered genealogy facts into a complete family chronicle your family will actually read.No more "I'll start writing when my research is done."No more perfectionism.Just a finished story you're proud to share. 95% of participants finish their chronicle. (That's not a typo.)
Join the AI revolution.
Which Type of Family Historian Are You?
The Overwhelmed Researcher
You've spent years gathering facts, documents, and photos. Your genealogy software is bursting with data, but when you think about writing it all down, you don't even know where to start. The sheer volume of information feels paralyzing.
The Doubtful Storyteller
You have fascinating family stories, but you're convinced no one else would find them interesting. You worry that your writing isn't "good enough" and that maybe you should just hire a professional genealogist to do it properly.
The Perfectionist Procrastinator
You keep telling yourself you'll start writing once your research is "complete." But what does complete even mean? There's always one more record to find, one more branch to explore. Meanwhile, the stories remain untold.
If any of these sound familiar, you're in the right place.
What Actually Happens in 10 Days
Day 1-2: Choose your ancestor and scope your storyDay 3-5: Build the timeline and write your first draft using AI assistanceDay 6-8: Revise with peer feedback and polish your narrativeDay 9-10: Finalize and share your completed chronicleYou'll work alongside other family historians in our private community, get daily guidance from me, and use AI tools that make the writing process clear and manageable.The best part? Once you learn this method and have the AI tools, you can repeat it for every ancestor story you want to tell.
What Our VIP Members Are Saying
"I finished the story of an ancestor I knew very little about. The step-by-step approach really helped me get started and finish. I'm happy with my finished product." — Holly Beck
"I never considered myself to be a good writer...however this course proved me wrong, that I could do this. Taking the course was the best decision I ever made pertaining to memorializing my family stories."— Mark Gillin
"I have such a feeling of relief in knowing how to accomplish my goal of writing. I was able to gather all the relevant materials, organize and transcribe them, and then with the help of AI and the lab you created, I now have stories worth reading."— Dawn Carson
Meet the Founder: Denyse Allen
I'll take you from start to finish—showing you exactly how to turn facts into stories you love.
👋 Hi, I’m Denyse,
and here's why I created Chronicle Makers
Denyse is a family historian, writer, and founder of Chronicle Makers. She helps people turn their genealogy research into meaningful stories using simple, creative methods. Her writing guides and community support beginners in getting their first family history story written—without overwhelm or perfectionism.Denyse has shared her approach at RootsTech and in libraries and genealogy groups across the country. She understands the unique challenges that genealogy researchers face when trying to transform their careful research into compelling narratives that family members will actually want to read.Most importantly, Denyse believes that you don't need to be a professional writer to tell your family's story. You just need the right framework, the right tools, and the confidence to begin.
The 9 Obstacles Every Family Historian Faces
What I discovered after surveying over 350 family historians
1. Research Paralysis: Years of work sitting unused in genealogy software and file folders2. Information Overload: Too much data with no clear way to organize it into a readable story3. Starting Line Syndrome: Knowing you want to write but having no idea where to begin4. Perfectionism Trap: Waiting for "complete" research before starting to write5. Audience Doubt: Assuming no one else would be interested in your family stories6. Professional Intimidation: Believing only trained genealogists can write family history properly7. Technology Barriers: Feeling overwhelmed by new AI tools that could help but seem complicated8. Time and Cost Concerns: Worrying that creating family stories will take too long or cost too much9. Legacy Anxiety: Fearing that all your research will be lost when you're gone
These obstacles are why I created this complete writing system,
powered with AI.
The 3 Biggest Mistakes Family Historians Make
(And How Chronicle Makers Helps You Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Putting Everything in Genealogy Software and Calling It Done
Here's the harsh truth: No one is going to open, manage, and navigate through your massive genealogy database. Not your children, not your grandchildren, not anyone. They want stories, not data dumps.Your family members don't want to learn new software or wade through hundreds of names and dates. They want to understand who their ancestors were as real people—their struggles, their triumphs, their personalities, and their love stories.How Chronicle Makers Helps:
Our STORI Framework teaches you to transform raw genealogy data into compelling narratives that read like the best parts of a novel, but with the accuracy of careful research.
Mistake #2: Assuming No One Is Interested in Your Family Stories
This is heartbreaking because it's so wrong. Your family members are absolutely interested—they just don't know how to access the stories buried in your research. They've never heard Great-Grandma's immigration story told as a complete narrative, or understood how their grandfather's military service shaped the family's future.The problem isn't lack of interest; it's lack of access to genealogy in an engaging format.How Chronicle Makers Helps:
You'll learn to identify the most compelling stories within your research and present them in ways that create emotional connections. We show you how to test story ideas with family members and get the feedback that proves they do want to hear these stories.
Mistake #3: Thinking You Need to Be "Finished" with Research Before You Can Start Writing
This is the perfectionist trap that keeps more family stories from being written than any other factor. Here's the reality: Genealogy research is never truly "finished." There's always another record to find, another branch to explore, another mystery to solve.Meanwhile, the stories you already have documented could be bringing joy and connection to your family right now. And here's a secret: writing stories often reveals exactly what additional research you need, making your future research more focused and productive.How Chronicle Makers Helps:
Our framework shows you how to write meaningful, complete stories with the research you have today. You'll learn to identify when you have "enough" information to tell a compelling story, and how to acknowledge gaps honestly without letting them stop you from writing.
Everything Included in Chronicle Makers VIP Membership
When you join the January Writing Sprint, you get full VIP membership for one year. Here's what that includes:
Complete Course Access (Labs 1-4)Lab 1: Family Tree Foundations (check for errors, get organized)
Lab 2: Gathering Records (set research goals, get new records)
Lab 3: Chronicle Writing Foundations (the complete writing system, 10 day sprint)
Lab 4: Breaking Brick Walls (systematic research methodology for stuck ancestors)
The STORI FrameworkThe heart of Chronicle Makers - Step-by-step lessons to Set the Scope, Thread the Timeline, Originate the Story, Reflect and Refine, and Inspire the Next. This proven system takes you from scattered research to finished story every time.
Video LessonsFriendly, easy-to-follow videos guide you through each step of the process. Denyse walks you through real examples, addresses common concerns, and provides the encouragement you need to keep moving forward.
Printable Worksheets and TemplatesDownloadable checklists, story outlines, and writing prompts keep you organized and focused. These tools eliminate guesswork and provide structure for every part of the writing process.
AI Writing Tools + PromptsGuided use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity with pre-written prompts designed specifically for family historians. These tools support—not replace—your writing, helping you overcome writer's block and organize your thoughts.
Expert WorkshopsMonthly workshops with specialists in self-publishing, legal issues, AI tools, and archiving. Submit your questions in advance, get direct answers for your situation.
Private Course SpaceA simple, distraction-free online space where you can track your progress and revisit lessons anytime. Access your materials whenever you need them, at your own pace.
Feedback & Revision GuidanceTips and sample language for asking for and giving feedback, so you can confidently polish your work. Learn how to share drafts with family members and incorporate their input effectively.
Publishing ChecklistA final review tool to ensure your story is ready to share, with reminders about privacy, permissions, and formatting. Cover all the important details before you share your finished work.
Story Sharing & Archiving OptionsSuggestions for private and public ways to share your work—with family or the world. Explore options from simple family sharing to formal publication.
Year Long AccessReturn anytime to start a new story or revisit any lesson at your own pace. Use what you learn in Chronicle Makers for every family story you want to write, for years to come.
Your Family Stories Are Waiting
You have incredible stories about courage, love, hardship, and triumph. And, you have family members who would treasure these stories if they could access them.But every day you wait is another day those stories remain untold.Chronicle Makers gives you everything you need to finally bridge the gap between your research and readable family stories. You'll have the framework, the tools, the templates, and the confidence to turn your genealogy work into something your family will read, share, and treasure.The question isn't whether you have good stories to tell—you do. The question is whether you're ready to commit to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I'm not a good writer. Can I really do this?
A: You don't need to be a "good writer" to tell your family's story effectively. Chronicle Makers teaches you simple, proven methods that work regardless of your writing experience. The AI tools and templates provide structure and support, while the feedback guidance helps you improve along the way.Q: I'm not comfortable with technology. Will I be able to use the AI tools?
A: Absolutely. The beginner tech tutorials are designed specifically for people who have never used AI tools before. We start with the very basics and provide step-by-step guidance. The AI tools are optional—you can complete your family stories without them if you prefer.Q: What if my research isn't complete enough to write a story?
A: One of the biggest myths in family history is that research needs to be "complete" before writing can begin. Chronicle Makers shows you how to identify when you have enough information to tell a meaningful story, and how to handle gaps honestly and effectively.Q: How long does it take to complete a family story using this system?
A: The 10 Day Writing Sprint course walks you through step-by-step how to do this in 10 days, and we included two weekends so you have time to catch up. However, you can work at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.Q: What if my family isn't interested in these stories?
A: This is one of the most common fears, and it's usually unfounded. Chronicle Makers teaches you how to identify the most compelling stories within your research and present them in engaging ways. You'll also learn how to test story ideas with family members before investing significant time in writing.Q: Can I write multiple family stories using this system?
A: Yes! The Chronicle Writing system is designed to be used for multiple stories. Once you learn the STORI Framework, you can apply it to any family story you want to tell. VIP members can return to the materials whenever you're ready to write the next story.Q: What if I fall behind or can’t finish the courses?
A: No problem at all. The 10 Day Writing Sprint is designed to help you make progress, not to pressure you. While our courses are structured with daily work to do, If something comes up, you’ll have VIP access to everything. That means you can revisit the lessons, tools, and community whenever you need to all year.Whether you finish your story in 10 days or 20, what matters most is that you finish it and feel proud sharing it. We’re here to support you at your pace.
The Chronicle Completion Guarantee
Complete the January Sprint with us. If you don't finish your chronicle or you're not satisfied with your VIP membership, request a full refund by February 15, 2025.We stand behind the our completion rate. If you show up, follow the process, and still don't finish - or if VIP membership isn't what you expected - just email us.Full refund, no questions asked.
The only requirement: You have to actually participate in the Sprint.We can't refund people who join and disappear.This is risk-free for anyone serious about finishing their family stories.
Course and community created by Denyse Allen
We are not affiliated with any AI or genealogy company.