Here's the family album you wish your ancestors had kept: The Metcalfe Family Album is a fictional dream come true for family archivists (Chronicle Books). In 1835 Marianne Metcalfe begins a tradition of writing in a family journal each Christmas. She is succeeded by five generations of women who record their thoughts, current events, recipes and crafts, and tuck photographs, letters and newspaper clippings among the pages. Despite their changing times, the women are united by their love of home and family.

Author Sallyann J. Murphey, a former BBC producer, lives with her husband and daughter in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. Her first book, Bean Blossom Dreams (1994), tells of her family's quest for a simpler, quieter life — a life that helped Murphey appreciate her own heritage. Family Tree Magazine recently asked Murphey about her inspiration for The Metcalfe Family Album and its just-released companion, Recollections: A Scrapbook and Guide for Creating Your Own Family Album (Chronicle Books).

Q. Why did you write the Metcalfe album?