Dear Graham, Yes it's a great idea. I too have been producing a family newsletter - the title is "The Long Brown Study" which is a play on my paternal and maternal surnames. I started off in 1999 with 2 newsletters per year until 2000. I then went down to 1 Christmas edition per year plus, in one year, a special which concentrated on one significant ancestor. My circulation list is far more limited than yours - about 36 people. At first, I sent the majority of newsletters out by post. Over the years, I have migrated increasingly to emailed newsletters. This year, for the first time, the newsletter will be sent out entirely by email, apart from 3 or so posted to those who don't use a computer. I retired this year, yet the newsletter is going out later than expected! I suppose the fact that clock watching has become less of an obsession plays a significant part in this. However, I should get the newsletter out by Christmas Eve, and with the posted versions as new year presents, provided the Mail is working in these wintry conditions. Like you, I use a desk top publishing programme. I don't use Publisher as I think it expensive. I use a major competitor's product and love it. The programme can produce pdf's of my efforts which is mighty handy. On that note, may I wish one and all on this list A Merry Christmas (Enjoy the reality aspect of the Christmas cards) and a Happy New Year. Richard Brown Bromley, Kent UK > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:20:55 +1100 > From: Graham Price <genetree@tpg.com.au> > Subject: [MDX] Private Family History publications > > Dear All > > I have been publishing via black & white print and mail out and recently also colour PDF my little family history journal Genetree since 1976 - usually about 20 pages, but this December 2010 issue only 16 - must be slowing down, eh? :-|.  Anyway, it has always gone out about three times per year to family and friends, about 85 copies, generally 3000kb PDF which downloads on broadband in a few seconds - much slower on dial up, natch. > > Anyway, I thought, why keep this to myself and the close family? There is nothing commercial in this, simply a private journal or newsletter which has been going on all these years which I originally thought would run out within a couple of years given limited research facilities, but no, it keeps on. Amazing that - research never seems to stop no matter how many brick walls are out there. > > The only reason -- apart from trying not to be selfish -- I am putting this on the list is so that others may get the bug and perhaps do the same for their own family history. It is a real thrill to see your own publication finally printed off or sent online to rels and other interested parties.  I always keep copies and master copies printed off and also ensure that CD/DVD copies are kept as well. Genetree also goes to a few libraries around the world, so it's history with photos shall be kept safe and secure. > > So, if you are a little creative and have some spare time why not do the same? Why not surprise your relatives and other close folk with a little publication of your own. All you need is a desk top publishing programme or you can use Microsoft Works or Microsoft Publisher if you have the funds to extend to that. MS Word may be all you need although some other products give you further ease of publication.  And there is lots of help out there on the internet showing you how to design and print off your publication. For me it is thrilling, hope so for you too if you get the bug to do it. > > A little warning. It is some work and you may find it taking up more of your time than you expected, but in my mind it is well worth it in terms of satisfaction. Try it out. You have nothing to lose except some of your missing brick wall ancestors! Email me OFF-LIST for a recent copy of Genetree. > > Good luck > Graham > Melbourne > Oz --------------------- Richard Brown Bromley, Kent U.K.