At 5:15 p.m. (AST), Friday, Dec. 9, the Caribbean Genealogy Library will host “Unlocking the Book Within – Capturing Your Family’s Story Through Books and Film,” with author Melissa Fredericks.

Melissa Fredericks is a former educator and author of “Mer – A Caribbean Underwater Adventure,” which is a fantasy that explores the bonds of blood, sand and sea through the lens of our birth and chosen families.

Fredericks is a native Virgin Islander, and she weaves her family’s oral history into the book in addition to Virgin Islands’ history and culture, while also showcasing the community’s need to thoughtfully steward the island’s natural resources.

Fredericks will describe how to begin writing, conduct interviews, and record information. She will walk participants through the fundamentals of storytelling and describe options for publishing. She will also discuss transitioning books into movies, exploring the idea that a person might want to turn a family’s story into a film.

Attending: This event is a hybrid. There are two options to join:

1. Join us in person at the Caribbean Genealogy Library, or
2. Join via Zoom: registration required

Also scheduled is a presentation at 2 p.m. (AST), Saturday, Dec. 17: “Researching and Writing Your Family Story: The Process” with author Anne Walbom.

Walbom is the author of “St. Thomas & St. John Historic Photos 1855-1917” and “St. Croix Historic Photos.” She…