Looking for Journaling Software

[mugsbigsis]

I drew my mom's name for Christmas and I want to get her something that she can document her memories with. I found RootsMagic Personal Historian software which would be perfect except. . . . they don't make it for mac. Does anyone know of a software that is similar. I'm not looking for family tree software. I want one that she can document stories of her life with and add scanned photos to. (Yes, I've mentioned scrapbooking before and it's a "no." Maybe that will come later.)

[farabee]

I just googled mac journaling software. Maybe some of this will fit the bill...

mac: journaling software - Google Search

[farabee]

PS: Sounds like a wonderful idea. I wish I could REMEMBER events in my life to journal! And tell her what a wise woman she is to be a MacWoman! ;-)

[Serenoa]

Kelly, I have the Roots Magic Personal Historian software - and to be honest - did not find it to be as useful as it sounds in the description. The historical timelines were interesting but I thought the product was awkward and too complicated. Just my opinion.

[mugsbigsis]

Thanks, Girls! I'll check out what you've found. And thanks for your input Barbara, I always like to hear what people like and don't like about a product before I buy. :O)
(I actually went up to people in parking lots who had a van that I was looking into buying and asked them if there was anything they didn't like about it.) ;O)

Linda, I swear I googled "journaling software for mac" and I didn't get ANYTHING like you got here! That happens to me ALL the time, but Cassie is usually the one that gets the good stuff. Unfortunately, this isn't what I'm looking for. I don't want a blog software. I need one that will give her prompts for writing down her memories. (I've almost decided that the pc one is the only one like that)

[Mary Rogers]

what a fabulous idea kelly! I have no suggestions but had to tell you that : )

[Starlite9711]

Fabulous idea Kelly, sorry i dont have any suggestions either

[artmidget]

Wonderful gift idea! I did some searching and couldn't find any mac journaling software that provides prompts.... but I did find this free software that looks pretty intriguing. Also, when I was a teenager we made 'Journal Jars' at church youth activity. We took strips of paper that had journaling prompts, curled the little strips and put them in a jar... we also made a label for the jar and tied a ribbon around it. This website has some wonderful ideas for good journal prompts...just hover your cursor over the very colorful asterisk marks. You could also add some more genealogy related questions. Maybe you could give her the journaling software and a journal jar to go with it... then she can pull out a little question each day... you could do 365 strips so that she has one for every day. Just a thought

[Britgirl]

I was going to say, is this not something you could create your self? or that book I got my prompts for my interview pages from is a good idea. I *think* they make one for older generation. I'd say try books on Amazon rather than software if youre having no luck there. You/she can always type up her answers later on.
p.s. I love journaling jars. I've made lots but never owned one! can somebody make me one?? LOL

[maureenreynolds]

This puts me in mind of Ali's blog and classes. She says for us to write the stories we'd like to have had from persons no longer here. You are fortunate to have a living person to actually document some of this.

I really like the journal jar with prompts because once you pick your prompts, you can duplicate this and make it as gifts for others - if you want to. Plus it's really personal. I would look through a lot of genealogy books at the library or other places to fill in ideas that don't come to you or possibly your siblings if you have any. Also how about asking grandchildren what they would like to know about Nana's childhood, marriage etc. You could expand the method of Cathy Zielske's ME-The Abridged Version of letters of the alphabet e.g. K - and one of the letters is Kelly. If you can come up with 5 words for each letter of the alphabet that might have meaning for her, then you have a good chunk.

I also suspect this kind of prompt book already exists so I would continue your method of asking everyone you know who does genealogy.

I'll be anxious to hear what you come up with. I too need prompts for myself!

[katie pertiet]

all such wonderful ideas! Hope you find something that works for you Kelly!

[cstaff]

Going in another direction a bit... not software but... I just purchased the book "Old Friend from Far Away... The Practice of Writing Memoir" by Natalie Goldberg. I think this will be fascinating. Just began but it begins with a series of exercises that prompts one to think in terms of putting down thoughts. I have so much enjoyed cnewby and her stream of consciousness pages here. As I age, the little "things" of my life pop into my head and I want to put them on paper before they pop right out again... for me if for nothing else...

[lisa.hinrichs]

I was going to suggest something similar to Carol's suggestion. I have seen many books out there that prompt them to write down their memories. Maybe you could use the book as a prompt then create a Word Processor document for her to enter the Prompt and her response.

[mugsbigsis]

Thanks so much for your responses, Ladies! I'm going to look into those journal jars. :O)
Cassie tells me that my mother has a prompt book. It's the fact that I know she would actually do this if she could sit down and type it in a template rather than have to write it out by hand She rivals Cassie with her typing speed. lol I want to have her font made for her to use, too. My other option (Mel) is to make up a book for her with supplies from the shop, but then I have to buy her PSE. I can't decide what to do. You've all given me more to think about though. Thanks so much. :O)