Why do I have to register?
All visitors who wish to submit a story must register. Your user name and
password will allow you to write, edit, and submit your stories, and to access
your Personal Home Page where you can track the stories you’ve contributed. It is not
necessary to register to search the story database.
How do I register?
The following information is required for registration:
What will you do with my personal information?
Information supplied to us through the registration process provides us with a full profile of visitors to our website. It is used to confirm your access to the Share Your Story website, and will not be made available to others without your prior consent. Consenting participants may be contacted by MHS for the following reasons:
Please see the Minnesota Historical Society’s Privacy Policy for more information.
How do I login?
You will set your user name and password after you have registered. Each must be between 6 and 15 characters in length, with no spaces, and should be easy to remember. It is a good idea to write them down and keep them in a secure place. On the Login page, enter your user name and password, and click the “Login” button.
What if I forget my password?
If you forget your password, just click on "Forget your password?", follow the instructions, and we will email your password to you.
How do I change my password or email address?
Contact us.
Why would I need an email account?
An email account provides a means of contact for us in case we have a question about your story, or if we need to pass along questions or comments from others reading your story. Note: we will not contact you unless given your permission to do so.
How do I set up an email account, and how much will it cost?
You need not own a computer or have Internet access to have an email account. Public computers, available at many local libraries and community centers, often offer web access, and permit you to check your email. Free email accounts are available through:
Why do I have my own Home Page?
The Personal Home Page allows you to:
How do I find my Home Page?
To get to your Home Page, you must first sign in.
Who can contribute a story?
Members of the Greatest Generation who lived in Minnesota during the 1930s-1950s and have personal memories to share, and their descendents and friends who would like to see those memories preserved.
What kind of stories are you looking for?
First-hand accounts of both momentous and everyday events experienced by Minnesotans during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. See Story Ideas and the Story Archives for inspiration. For help getting started, visit Writing Tips.
Are there resources to jog my memory?
The Minnesota Historical Society offers a variety of resources that may be useful to you, including online databases for birth and death records, a Visual Resources Database, and the Library Catalog. These and other resources are also available at the Minnesota History Center’s research library.
To verify dates, place names, and other general historical information, visit your local library, or surf the Web. Some examples of good general websites:
Can I edit my story?
A story in progress can be saved and edited prior to submission. Simply click “Save for Later” to save it to your Home Page. When you login again, click on the “Edit Saved Story” link to return to the work in progress.
Remember: a story cannot be edited after it has been submitted! For this reason, it is very important to carefully proofread your story for errors before submission.
Can I include hyperlinks to other websites in my story?
Yes, a web link can be listed as part of the story. Please be sure to include the full path name (URL) of the link in your story.
How do I submit my story?
Once you have registered, you will be able to click on the Write Your Story link in the navigation bar. You will be asked to enter information about your
story, including a title, a location, and the name of the main character. Enter your story in the space provided. The story field is limited to 8,000 characters, so you will not be able to type beyond that limit. It is a good idea to write out a draft of your story first, then type it or cut-and-paste it into the field.
Remember: a story cannot be edited after it has been submitted! For this reason, it is very important to carefully proofread your story for errors before submission.
I’ve changed my mind! Can I delete my story?
A story that has been submitted for review or that has been published on the website can be removed from the website by clicking the “Remove” link next to the story title in your Home Page, but it will remain in the permanent database as part of the project.
Will all stories submitted be accepted for posting?
All stories that meet the Guidelines will be accepted. Stories that are not Minnesota related, or that deal with topics outside the framework of this project cannot be accepted. Stories with inappropriate content will be edited or rejected at the discretion of the Editor.
Who owns the copyright of the stories and photographs I submit?
By submitting your story to the Share Your Story website, you agree to transfer all rights with regard to the material submitted to the Minnesota Historical Society to edit, excerpt, copy, and use as deemed appropriate. Spelling and grammatical errors may be corrected, but story content will not be rewritten or used out of its original context. Excerpts from previously published works will require the permission of the publisher/copyright owner for it to be published on the website. It is the sole responsibility of the contributor using the excerpt, quotation, or image to obtain the necessary permissions. For more information, see Guidelines.
What kinds of pictures can I use?
Previously unpublished photographs with relevance to your story can be used. Examples include an image of the main character in a setting pertinent to the story, or documents or objects that can be scanned clearly, such as a ration book, a very clear letter or diary entry. Photographs belonging to someone else will require permission for posting with your story. Photographs that have been published are copyrighted, and cannot be used without the express permission of the copyright holder. This includes photographs found in the MHS Visual Resources Database.
How do I add an image to my story?
Images scanned or uploaded from a digital camera must first be saved on your computer. They may then be imported into your story by entering the file path, including name, and a brief caption into the fields provided. For questions about proper use of your scanner and digital camera, please refer to the product's user manual.
How many images can I include with each story?
You may include up to three pictures with each story submitted.
I’ve submitted the wrong photograph or forgotten to add one with my story! Can I replace it?
Images can be added and removed at any time prior to the final submission of the story.
Can I edit my story after its been submitted?
No. Stories that have been submitted cannot be altered by the author. Make sure
all necessary corrections are made prior to submitting your story. In the event of
a major error, a story can be deleted from the website, though it will remain in
the permanent database. A corrected version of the story may then be submitted.
How will my story be edited once its been submitted?
All stories submitted will become the property of the Minnesota Historical
Society, which reserves the right to edit the material as appropriate for inclusion
on the website. Story content will not be rewritten or taken out of context.
Inappropriate content and vulgar language will be deleted. Photographs will be checked for proper documentation and appropriateness.
Why was my story rejected?
Stories submitted to the Share Your Story website may be rejected if the story content is not Minnesota related, or set within the context of the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation project. Stories with questionable or inappropriate content will be edited or rejected at the discretion of the Editor. See Guidelines for more information.
Do I need to register or login to search for a stories?
No. Only those who wish to submit stories need to register and login.
How do I search for stories?
There are four ways to find a story:
What are the guidelines for using the website?
Please see our project Guidelines.
What is the Minnesota Historical Society’s Privacy Policy?
Please see our Privacy Policy.
Can I submit excerpts from a book I’ve written?
Permission must be obtained from the publisher and/or copyright holder to include excerpts from previously published works.
Can I submit someone else’s unpublished work or photographs, or quote other people in my story?
If you are using any material that belongs to someone else (e.g. letters, diaries, or photographs), you must have permission, either from the owner or their next-of-kin, to include it in your story. It is best not to use direct quotations from written or oral sources unless permission is obtained, and proper citation given. Defamatory material will result in rejection of the story.
Can I help someone else write his or her story?
Yes! If you know someone from the Greatest Generation who has stories to
share, you can assist them in writing their story and submitting it online. For an
alternative method of collecting their stories, see our Oral Histories website.
Please note:
All viewpoints expressed on the Share Your Story website are those of the contributors, and are not representative of the Minnesota Historical Society.