Preserve Your Legacy with a Family History Volume

Who We Are, What We Do

Since 2013, Modern Book Works has produced bespoke Family History Volumes for discerning clients across the U.S. The pages of these “instant-heirloom” books are bursting with vibrant artworks, photos, antique maps, and historical documents. Employing the exacting standards of commercial publishing houses, these volumes are expressly designed to be passed down, treasured, and loved for generations to come.

Carefully researched, compellingly written, and handsomely designed, Modern Book Works Family History Volumes are created with one aim in mind—preserving your family legacy.

Our Clients

Our typical client is just as passionate about documenting their family history as we are. Our Family History Volumes are specifically targeted to those who not only take pride in their history, but who also desire to build an enduring legacy for their family lasting far into the future.

Our Team

Creative, professional, passionate, curious—the special people associated with MBW do their utmost to uphold standards of fine book design, genealogical research, and effective project management. Creating a Family History Volume with the MBW team will be an experience you will not forget.

Our Services

MBW Family History Volumes are a product of comprehensive, in-house

- Book Design
- Art Direction
- Research
- Writing/Editing
- Print/Production Management

Christopher Marsden

Christopher Marsden, the Director of Modern Book Works, a family-history book design studio creating monographs for private clients. His fascination with genealogy began 20 years ago when he embarked upon a study of his own family narrative. He founded Modern Book Works after a lengthy publishing career, working in New York publishing houses Penguin Books USA, The Free Press, a division of Macmillan Publishing, and the trade division of Oxford University Press. After moving to Atlanta, he became the publisher of Builder/Architect and Commercial Builder/Architect magazines. He later accepted an editorial position with Whitman Publishing that led to his being named Developmental Editor for the company’s successful Football Vault series.

Email: cmarsden@modernbookworks.com

Modern Book Works Family History Volumes Are:

- Designed to feature an American branch of your family tree,
- Divided into generation-by-generation chapters,
- Presented in glossy, coffee-table book format,
- 200 pages in length, 11 X 13 in size,
- Created after one-on-one client interviews,
- Constructed to incorporate your personal family photos, documents, etc.
- The result of lengthy genealogical and historical research,
- Written, edited, designed, and printed by career publishing professionals.

Our Family History Volumes begin by telling the story of an ancestor emigrating to America. Chapter One speculates upon the life of this immigrant, exploring the twists and turns of history that may have motivated him to leave his country of origin. Chapter Two features that immigrant’s child, while Chapter Three covers the life of his grandchild. All subsequent chapters feature descending generations of a family until the final chapter brings us to the present day.

After we conduct and record client interviews, Modern Book Works collects that client’s personal family photos, documents, and ephemera for scanning and inclusion in the book. Further family information is gathered from an array of genealogical sources, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, census reports, wills, obituaries, city directories, military records, newspaper clippings, immigration records, and more. We use these building blocks to recreate lost ancestral stories which we then insert into the broader city, county, state, and national histories that paralleled the lives of your ancestors in the U.S.

A deeply meaningful, special-occasion gift (anniversaries, reunions, retirement celebrations, birthdays, marriages, etc.), your MBW Family History Volume will become an enduring family heirloom passed down and cherished for generations yet to come.

TESTIMONIALS

“We really loved our MBW Family History Volume: The Stokely Family in America. We were especially pleased (and somewhat amazed!) with the commercial, coffee-table book quality and appearance of the book. We enjoyed seeing many of our treasured family photos and documents incorporated into the design of the book . . . often in clever and unusual ways. We both discovered so much about the family that we were previously unaware of. For example, it was extremely fascinating to learn many details concerning the history of the Tennessee community our ancestors lived in during the Civil War period. I believe that learning about the experiences of our ancestors can provide us all with thought-provoking insights into who we are today. Working with MBW was truly a great experience. We’re so glad to have this new family heirloom which I feel certain will be enjoyed by generations of our family to come.”

-Margaret & William Parker

“Before commissioning Modern Book Works to create The Fernald Family in America, I thought I had a pretty basic understanding of the family history. I was soon to learn, however, that there was SO much more to discover! MBW did a fantastic job bringing the lives of people who lived hundreds of years ago back to life. Our new family history volume is like having a window back into the past – a window through which we can see and experience the lives of our ancestors. I feel so much more connected to the history of this country, now knowing that my forebears witnessed it firsthand. The finished book is absolutely beautiful—I’m sure that generations of my family will be enjoying it long after I am gone.”

-Patty & Bruce Fernald

“Pam and I are delighted with our Spencer Family History Volume. We have had great fun sharing it with friends—especially the stories concerning some of the more colorful characters in our family’s past. We have it prominently displayed on, yes, our coffee table! The quality of the artwork, writing and research are evident throughout. We enjoyed learning new facts and some interesting new details about our family.

“While the details about the family are quiet interesting, what sets this work apart is its ability to bring to life all of the characters in the continuing play of our longstanding family story. Each generation is revealed against the backdrop of the history of its time and place using both art and photographs. These images (many provided by our family) are interwoven with anecdotes about the individuals being featured. In our opinion, it is this combination that really brings the lives of long-gone generations back to life.”

-Pam & Bruce Spencer

Q&A

Does my family tree have to go multiple generations to be featured in a MBW Family History Volume?

Certainly not. MBW Family History Volumes embrace the American experience of all families. Perhaps your ancestor sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. Or maybe she emigrated from war-torn Russia in 1920. It makes no difference, because MBW will tailor a Family History Volume to showcase your family history regardless of how long ago your ancestor landed on these shores.

How will my Family History Volume be structured?

This is a great question. After MBW establishes which branch of the family tree is to be explored, we conduct research to establish how many generations your family has been in America. If we find discrepancies, our work is reviewed by a licensed genealogist to make certain that the correct line of descent has been established. These findings are then reported back to the client, and the structure of your Family History Volume is agreed upon at this time.

How does Modern Book Works incorporate my family photos into a Family History Volume?

This can be achieved in multiple ways. Clients can send photos to us for scanning, and we will return them to you via FedEx. If you prefer, we can accept high-resolution, electronic versions of your photos via Dropbox. If you live within a 50-mile radius of Atlanta, Ga., we are happy to scan personal items in your home. For an additional fee, Modern Book Works will also travel to clients who live outside of this 50-mile radius.

Will I be consulted concerning the content of my MBW Family History Volume?

Absolutely! After a structure has been established, our editorial staff collaborates with one of our book designers to create your Family History Volume. Soon after, you will be sent a low-res electronic version of the book to review before the final version of your book goes into production. Family History Volumes never contain content that has not been pre-approved by our clients.

Will the family information I share with MBW be kept private?

Of course. MBW never shares personal family information of any kind. We consider it a special privilege when clients take us into their confidence. MBW Family History Volumes are privately produced, they are never available to the public.

How many copies of my Family History Volume will MBW provide to me?

Upon completion of the project, you will receive a single copy of your Family History Volume. Additional copies are available, and we are happy to offer discounted rates for purchases of 10 copies or more.

How long does it take to produce a Family History Volume?

Typically, an MBW Family History Volume will take 2 months to complete. An additional month is then added for the production and printing process.

Can MBW provide me with an e-book version of my Family History Volume?

Currently, MBW Family History Volumes are only available in hardcover format.

SAMPLE CHAPTERS

Modern Book Works Family History Volumes are commissioned by private patrons; they are never made public. The following sample chapters are available for viewing by generous permission of satisfied clients.

FERNALD FAMILY VOLUME: CHAPTER 4

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FERNALD FAMILY VOLUME: CHAPTER 10

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CONTACT US

MODERN BOOK WORKS

Thanks very much for your interest in MBW’s Family History Volumes!

We love hearing your family stories, so tell us a bit about the branch of your family tree that you’d most like to climb. We are always happy to address any questions you may have concerning our editorial and production methods, client interview process, and Family History Volume pricing options. Please reach out to us – we’d be honored to commemorate your family’s American story!