Everything you need to know to create timelines and use an online timeline maker
As milestones come around I find it natural to reflect on the past.
However, over the decades, memories of such times become jumbled.
For example, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and more.
So when we are sitting down to create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project it is important to get dates and facts correct.
Certainly one of the best ways to do this is to make a timeline.
Plus timelines are wonderful ways to organise and stir up memories to record.
Read on to find out how to make a timeline …
Related article – How to start writing: The ultimate guide about planning to write life stories
What is a timeline
A timeline or ‘time line’ can be described as a schedule or list detailing dates, periods and past events in chronological order.
Firstly they can be broken down into ages, centuries, decades, years or even days and minutes!
In addition to text, timelines sometimes include pictures or graphics.
However, most importantly they show relationships between different events at different points of time.
In short, timelines help us understand our past.
Life timeline
You have probably seen timelines at museums and in documentaries.
But how to make a timeline to help create a life story?
Indeed there are many ways, however, I suggest starting with different columns:
- Years of your life to present day. Also, a few extra years before your birth can be handy for dates about parents or family.
- Your age for each year.
- Key events for each year. For example, places you’ve lived, school, work, business, marriages, births, travel, birthdays and other milestones.
- Family events.
- Area or world events.
Related article – How to get memories flowing for your memoir – without even leaving home
Related article – Memory recall: How to fast track remembering childhood memories + long-term memory retrieval
Picking a format
Now we know what a timeline is and what to include.
But what format should be used?
Traditional offline timelines
For most people, answering how to make a timeline will require lined A4 paper, a pencil, eraser and ruler.
Alternatively try a simple document in Microsoft Excel or a table in Microsoft Word.
Indeed, I’ve also made you a handy printout template.
Certainly you could use one page for each decade of your life.
However, the level of detail and space required will differ from person to person.
Related article – Story outline: How to make an outline and have topics to write about
Related article – Lessons learnt: Writing memoirs full of your best life lessons
Online timeline makers
Solving how to make a timeline can include free or paid online timeline makers.
Certainly these are great because they update formatting automatically when changes or additions are made.
However, lots of online timelines are geared towards project management and teaching.
And some have more bells and whistles than a life-story writer needs: ability to embed video, link to maps, social media sharing and device syncing etc.
But I’ve found some timelines worth further investigation for personal use:
- Free-Timeline.com – Keeps things basic with text and pictures. More here.
- Timetoast – Simple and offers horizontal and list modes. More here.
- JS Timeline – Open-sourced tool. More here.
Final say
Many things happen in our lives and world over the course of a lifespan.
And making timelines can help organise thoughts for life-story projects.
Firstly, include various details in a personal timeline: years, age, events.
Second, how to make a timeline means choosing an offline or online format.
But whatever you pick, know this simple exercise will help you make sense of your past and give you clarity about your life.
Happy writing!
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Free printable
Quickly make a timeline using my free printable. And tell me how it goes by sending an email titled: I’ve started my timeline! I can’t wait to hear how timelines help you with your life-story project.
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First published November 29, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.