Today I welcome author Cheryl Schuermann back as she shares her creative non-fiction family story.

Raise your hand if your mother grew up in a remote Eskimo village! Hmmm. Not many takers.

All throughout my childhood, I knew my mother’s story was unique. I mean, whose mother talks about playing football on the frozen river with her Eskimo friends while the northern lights swish and swirl and howl overhead? Not to mention managing a dog sled team, panning for gold, and flying with bush pilots!

When my grandparents married in the early 1900s, they began a life together that would greatly benefit the Territory of Alaska. A gold miner and a missionary came together in this most unlikely place, northern Alaska. They became teachers for the territory through the U.S. Department of the Interior. Besides teaching in a remote Eskimo village, they found themselves in roles of postmaster, reindeer superintendent, and even the village midwife and physician. My mother’s family was involved in nearly every aspect of Alaska’s “growing up.” My mother, Audrey Purkeypile, was in the middle of it all.

Every one of us can uncover fascinating stories from our ancestors. The question then becomes…How do we preserve these stories for future generations in a way they will want to read them?

Many of us have family trees detailing who begat whom and listing parents and siblings. Some hang in frames on the wall in our homes but most are probably tucked away in boxes in the attic amidst stacks of paper. How many treasures are hidden in those boxes?

Along with my mother’s verbal remembrances, which I recorded, I was blessed to have access to several primary documents. Letters my grandfather wrote to the Department of Interior regarding the reindeer, letters my grandmother wrote to her cousin in New Jersey, and dozens of photographs gave me more insight into the Purkeypile family’s life in Alaska.

I chose to write this book in the Creative Nonfiction genre in my mother’s voice. This genre can take different forms but must be based in truth with an accurate retelling of life experiences. At the same time, creative writing techniques of fiction are used to tell the true stories with elements of emotion and empathy.

“Where we are born, whom we encounter, the experiences we share with others, our personal relationships—how do they shape who we are as adults? In part, the place—the wild, untamed country of Alaska shaped who I am today, but not nearly as much as the unique experiences and the people encountered during that magical time of childhood. I will always love Alaska. When I step onto Alaskan soil, I am home.” (Introduction, When the Water Runs: Growing Up With Alaska)

When the Water Runs: Growing Up With Alaska is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. The audio is quite a treasure as it is voiced by Audrey herself, just as if she is sitting in your living room, telling her stories over a cup of hot tea. I can’t think of a better way to preserve family history in story!

Click here for more information about the book.

How are you preserving family history for your children and grandchildren and generations to come?  Maybe now is the time to dig through those boxes and get started!

About Cheryl:

A career educator and literacy consultant, Cheryl Schuermann devoted many years to the effective education of special needs students and professional development for teachers.

Cheryl and her husband, Stan, have four sons, four lovely daughters-in-law, and thirteen grandchildren. Their favorite place to write and play is the family country retreat affectionately known as The Farm.

Cheryl’s other works include a recent release co-authored with her husband, Stan Schuermann. Raising Kids for Tomorrow’s World: 12 Keys to Preserving the Faith is featured in a blog post dated June 8. Read it here!

Connect with Cheryl:

Author Website: https://cherylschuermann.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylschuermannauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryl_schuermann_author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylSchuerma2

Blog: https://preservingthefamily.com/