Creating a Personal and Family Timeline

One of the first things I do when I meet with a new client is create a family timeline! Some timelines are very basic, including only immediate family birthdays, while others are more detailed, incorporating birthdays for extended family and friends, anniversaries, significant trips, addresses, and even dates of deaths. Sometimes, timelines evolve as we uncover more
information during a project. At the end of the process, I always include the timeline in what I deliver to my clients so they can easily reference it in the future.

You may be thinking, Of course, you need a timeline because you don’t know these people—but why would I need one for my own family? After years of doing this work, I’ve rarely met a client who can recall all their important dates without looking them up. A timeline consolidates everything in one place, making it easy to access and reference quickly.

Why Organize Memories Chronologically?

Over the years, I’ve encouraged my clients to organize their memories chronologically whenever possible because it is the most universal method. You could organize by theme or by person, but what happens when a photo includes multiple people or fits multiple themes?

A well-structured Memories Hub allows you to search by person or theme while keeping everything in chronological order.

For example, one of my all-time favorite photos is from the day of my son’s baptism, featuring him with his grandmothers and great-grandmothers. If I organized my memories by person, would this photo belong under my son, the Tonjes side, or the Moritz side? If I organized by theme, would it go under baptism, family gathering, or Mother’s Day? However, if I place it
under May 2016, I can later search for any of these people or themes while keeping everything in its natural timeline.

How to Create a Timeline

There are several ways to create a timeline, and the best format depends on your needs:

● Spreadsheet – My preferred method! It’s easy to update, back up, and sort in different ways.
● Word Document – Also easy to update and back up, but not as sortable as a spreadsheet.

● Family Tree Software – Requires purchasing software, and printed versions may be too small. While great for genealogy, it’s not ideal for this type of project.

● Handwritten – A good starting point, but it can become messy with edits, and it’s harder to back up.

I recommend printing your timeline for easy reference when organizing photos—whether digitally or in print. Flipping between screens or between printed photos and a digital timeline can be cumbersome.

One of my fellow photo managers uses large rolls of paper to write out family timelines across a big table, then stacks printed photos chronologically on top. Even if you do something similar, it’s still essential to have a version that can be saved and shared with loved ones.

What to Include in a Family Timeline

At a minimum, a family timeline should include:

● Complete birthdays (month, day, year) – Also note traditions, such as adding an extra candle for certain birthdays.
● Names and nicknames – Especially useful when working with printed photos. (For example, my dad’s family called him Jimmy as a child, but my son knows him as Grandpa Hank—important information for future generations!)
● Wedding dates
● Death dates

Other helpful details:
● Travels
● Retirements
● Divorces
● Moves

What to Include in a Personal Timeline

In addition to the above, a personal timeline might include:
● School years – (For example, if you graduated high school in 2002, you were in first grade from 1990–1991.)
● Addresses
● Jobs
● Volunteer activities
● Travels
● Significant relationships – Not just romantic ones! A core group of friends in your 20s, for example, may appear frequently in your photos.

Keeping Your Timeline Secure

Since a timeline contains key details about you and your loved ones, be mindful of how you share it. I use Google Docs to share timelines with clients rather than emailing them back and forth. Inviting specific people instead of using a public link offers better security.

Final Thoughts
Creating a personal and/or family timeline is a valuable tool for organizing your memories. Whether you’re sorting digital or printed photos, having a well-documented timeline will help you preserve your legacy for years to come.

Grab your basic timeline here!