Frequently Asked Questions

We have set out a few of the frequently asked questions that arise when considering how to produce the pages for your book.

Q. Are you able to help me prepare my book for publishing?

A. If you require My History to do any formatting or setting out of your reports prior to printing then there will be extra charges. If you need help getting your file ready for printing then we will be happy to do that as well.


Q. Can I send you my Gedcom file from an online tree or my favourite program?

A. Due to the amount of decisions and editing required for a book we cannot accept gedcom files but we do have instructions that will help you get the best from your family tree program.


Q. My family tree is online. How do I prepare it for printing?

A. If you have recorded your tree on a website such as Ancestry, My Heritage or Genes Reunited then we strongly recommend that you download your gedcom to software on a PC or MAC to enable you to produce high quality reports for reprinting in your book.

Q. What program should I use to create my book?

A. Most programs will create a range of reports and charts for use in a book. Some programs go one or two steps further allowing you to assemble the chapters of the book in an order to suit you. The program will then number the pages and create a contents page and index page giving you a complete book.


Q. Do you have a recommended layout for the book?

A. We have a four page PDF document that makes suggestions for the layout of your book including margin sizes, page positions, title pages, contents pages, index pages and appendicies. There are a few programs listed that produce very good book layouts and there are some ideas for the cover design, page headers and image insertion. You may download it here:Book_Layout_Suggestions.pdf 157KB

Q. Can I provide my own title/layout/design for the cover?

A. Yes you can supply us with your design. However we may need to make some minor adjustments to acommodate the width of the spine which varies slightly with th enumber of pages in the book.

Q. When it says a book of 100 pages is that 100 sheets or 100 sides of A4 paper?

A. It is 100 pages on 50 sheets of paper.

Q. Do you print books in A4 landscape format?

A. No. Currently the automated machines for doing this type of work are restricted to A4 portrait layout.

Q. How should I send my file to My History?

A. If your finished file is less than 5MB then please just email it to us. However if your file is between 5MB and 20MB then you may upload it to our website using our upload service or please copy it onto a CD or DVD and post it to us to the address below.

Q. How long will it take to print my book/s?

A. For full colour glossy covers please allow at least 21-28 working days for us to produce your book after we receive your finished document.
and approval of the cover design.
For plain covers with gold foil lettering allow 1-2 days for production. Delivery speed depends on your choice of carriage.