Collect without blending voices
Keep each tribute, recording and photograph with its contributor, date and sharing restrictions.
Check the life timeline
Confirm names, places, study and work stages. A timeline supports the book but should not replace concrete stories.
Choose memorable scenes
A daily habit or a choice under pressure often reveals more than a résumé. Preserve different relatives' views.
Check captions as carefully as prose
Identify people, time and place where known. Do not guess when a photograph is uncertain.
Agree on sharing
Let family review sensitive content and image permissions before producing a private PDF, editable Word file or printed edition.