The CGTCHS launches with an explanation of the importance of preserving our family's historical photos, stories, and memorabilia in an archival safe environment (aka, the scrapbook album). A short introduction to basic scrapbooking tools and techniques takes up a few pages. The main body of the book which follows is divided into six sections: Daily Life (documenting/preserving those "slice of life" moments in time);Celebrations (weddings, graduations, holidays, religious events, etc.);Wartime;Across the Generations (comparing people then and now);and Portraits and Family Trees.Each section is a collection of examples of pages dealing with these themes, and instructions on the process to recreate the page ideas presented. I found them to be very appealing, tasteful and well done overall. To help supplement one's journaling, there are nice year-by-year historical trivia timelines printed on the marginal sidebars thoughout the sections, dating from 1850 to 1975. Several of these ideas will end up in my own albums.
However, a "complete" guide it is not. CGTCHS provides minimal information regarding researching family geneology, organizing one's search for information and a bare two page spread dedicated to the primary task of duplicating and restoring ancient photographs. I would expect these to be the first steps in researching a family history, but commentary on these subjects is scattered randomly. Also, to my way of thinking it was illogical to put "Portraits and Family Trees" last, as a family tree would be useful for keeping one's information correct as one completes other parts of the album. Readers who intend to put a serious effort into this aspect of their scrapbooking project will need to look elsewhere.
Other things I would have found helpful would have been a guide to era-appropriate color schemes and decorating themes, and more on interviewing relatives regarding their own personal histories.
Despite these drawbacks, CGTCHS was a great resource for ideas and inspiration. I finished the book with fresh encouragement to start on my own family heritage album.-Andrea, aka Merribelle.
