A live virtual presentation about memory, meaning, family, and what disappears when our stories go untold.

Every life contains stories that no photograph, family tree, official record, or collection of dates can preserve.

Oliver explores these questions through stories, humour, reflection, and an illuminating demonstration of how an apparently ordinary biographical fact can be opened into a vivid, meaningful story through thoughtful questions.

This is not a writing workshop.

The Story Only You Can Tell is a warm, thoughtful, and engaging virtual presentation by Canadian writer, editor, interviewer, and publisher Oliver Delorie. It invites audiences to consider what their lives have meant, what their families truly know about them, and the legacy they want to leave behind.

Many family historians have gathered years of research: names, dates, places, records, photographs, certificates, newspaper clippings, military files, letters, and family rumours.

But eventually, a difficult question appears: How do I turn all of this into something my family will actually read?

This practical and encouraging talk shows family historians how to move from research to story without losing accuracy, context, or emotional truth. Participants will learn how to identify the strongest story threads, shape raw information into readable scenes and chapters, and create family history writing that feels clear, meaningful, and alive.

• 20 August - South Australian Genealogical Society - Adelaide Time.

• 7-16 October - Society of Genealogists All About That Place Conference.

• 2 November - Rugby Family History Group - 7:30 pm UK time.

• 10 November - Powys Family History Society - 7:30 pm UK time.

• 25 November - Weston-super-Mare & District Family History Society - 7:30pm UK time.

• 26 November - Calderdale Family History Society (Halifax & District) - 7.30pm UK time.

• 16 December - Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Family History Society - 7.30pm UK time.

• January (TBD) - Sheffield & District Family History Society 

• 20 January - Quaker Family History Society - 7:00 pm UK time.

• 18 February - Hillingdon Family History Society - 2:30pm UK time.

• 18 March - Folkstone & District Family History Society - 7:30 UK time.

• 21 April - Liverpool and S.W. Lancashire Family History Society - 7:00 pm UK time.

• 11 May - Lancashire Family History Society - 7:00pm UK time.

• 29 May - La Sociètè Guernesiaise Family History Group - (TBD)

• 21 June - Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society - 7:30pm UK time.

• 10 September - Queensland Family History Society - 7:30 AEST.

• 18 October - Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group - 2:30pm UK time.

These virtual presentations are particularly well suited to:

• independent-living and retirement communities,

• private country, city, golf, and yacht clubs,

• adult education and lifelong-learning programs,

• congregations and faith communities,

• genealogy and family-history societies,

• museums, libraries, archives, and cultural organizations,

• estate-planning firms and professional councils,

• wealth-management and later-life advisory practices,

• geriatric care managers and family-care organizations,

• philanthropic, donor-relations, and planned-giving programs,

• alumni and membership organizations,

• family offices and family-governance professionals, and

• cruise lines, enrichment programs, and affinity-travel groups.

Each presentation can be adapted to reflect the interests, experiences, and cultural context of the audience.

No.

The talk is designed to provide a complete, valuable, and emotionally satisfying experience in its own right. Oliver briefly explains The Memoir Experience so audience members understand that professional help is available, but there is no hard sell and no pressure.

Anyone who feels moved to explore preserving their own story (or the story of somebody they love) may contact Oliver privately afterward.

Your organization does not need to provide your membership or attendee list.

• Presented live through Zoom or the host organization’s preferred platform

• Available to audiences in the United Kingdom, North America, and internationally

• Approximately 45 minutes plus questions for general audiences

• Shorter professional briefings available

• Adapted to the organization and audience

• Suitable for private member events and public programs

• Optional recording by prior arrangement

• Fees and honoraria discussed according to the event and organization

If you are planning programs for your clients, residents, members, donors, or professional colleagues, Oliver would be delighted to learn about your audience.

Please include your organization, approximate audience size, preferred dates, time zone, and the presentation that interests you.

A short description, speaker bio, and publicity photo are available on request.

To enquire about booking a talk for your group, please email: oliver@yourtruestory.org