About

Our history

HistoryCrafters was founded in 2004 by Linda Coffin, whose background includes graphic design, writing, genealogy research, and publishing.

Background

• 2004-present: Personal historian, HistoryCrafters
• 2012-2017: Executive Director, Association of Personal Historians
• 1985-2017: Self-employed graphic designer, PageCrafters
• 2014: Certificate in virtual meeting planning, iCohere
• 2008: Professional Certificate, Ohio Oral History Institute, five-day intensive training program

Memberships

• National Genealogical Society
• Association of Professional Genealogists
• International Society of Family History Writers and Editors
• Midwest Independent Publishers Association
• Genealogical Speakers Guild
• Minnesota Genealogical Society
• Wisconsin State Genealogical Society
• Minnesota Historical Society
• Hennepin County History Museum
• Friends (Quaker) Historical Association

Appointments & honors

• 2014: Minnesota Genealogy Ambassador award, for “representing Minnesota on the national genealogy scene and bringing honor to Minnesota genealogy”
• 2009: Excellence in Writing competition, sponsored by the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors, Original Research Story, “Great-Uncle Andrew: The Murderer in the Family Closet,” second place
• 2006-2012: Association of Personal Historians, six years on the international board (four years as Publications Chair, two years as Education Chair)

Published articles

HistoryCrafters’ work has been featured in many publications:

• 2016-2019: “Beyond the Boxes and Binders,” quarterly column in FGS Forum, Federation of Genealogical Societies
• 2017, “How Do I Choose Which Stories To Tell?”, article for The Septs, quarterly journal of the Irish Genealogical Society International, Inc.
• 2016: “Oh, the Stories They Could Tell,” The Chicago Tribune, Primetime
• 2011: “Telling Our Family Stories,” Edina Sun Current
• 2010-2011: “Telling Our Stories with Flair,” Minnesota Genealogist, several quarterly columns
• 2009: profile of Linda Coffin in the SCCA News, Seward Civic & Commerce Association
• 2007: profile of Linda Coffin in Member to Member, newsletter of the Minnesota Women in Marketing and Communications
• 2006: “Preserving Personal Stories,” profile in the "BizWoman" column of the Minnesota Women’s Press

Reviews

HistoryCrafters’ clients have said:

• Workshop participants
  • “After taking your workshop, I wanted to go directly home to write and write and write.”
  • “I liked your casual and friendly style.”
  • “I have about as much writing ability as an ant, but with [Linda’s] guidelines and inspiration, even I could write a passable history.”
• Clients for book projects
  • “[The book] is fabulous. We’re all happy. Thanks again and again.”
  • “How did you get my very private grandmother to tell you stories she has never shared with the family?”
  • “To Linda, my favorite ghost-writer!” (Christmas card)
  • “_____’s book is a fabulous example of what can be done! I am sharing it with co-workers and friends who are enjoying it even though they don’t know the ‘cast’.” (client’s niece)