Lisa Hobson
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi there, I adored 'Between Shades of Grey' as someone with Latvian ancestry. I wondered how easy it was for you to research the lives of ordinary people in this time period ( I had a nana who always wanted me to write her story but I wouldn't have known where to begin)? Thanks, Lisa Farrell
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Lisa,
It's always so wonderful to hear from others with Baltic heritage or a connection to the Baltic experience.
My first bit of advice would be to dig through family archives, relatives, and friends to find photos, journals, or any personal mementos. A single photograph could unlock a whole story for you. If possible, I would also encourage you to interview any and all elderly family members left. Their story and memories are so important! You might also go to the library and use Ancestry.com online. Through Ancestry you can research the ship that your family came over on and even print the passenger manifest. Once you know the name of the ship, you can check to see if anyone on Ancestry has posted photos or stories from their experience on the ship. You can also research census reports of each household. Hope that helps!
It's always so wonderful to hear from others with Baltic heritage or a connection to the Baltic experience.
My first bit of advice would be to dig through family archives, relatives, and friends to find photos, journals, or any personal mementos. A single photograph could unlock a whole story for you. If possible, I would also encourage you to interview any and all elderly family members left. Their story and memories are so important! You might also go to the library and use Ancestry.com online. Through Ancestry you can research the ship that your family came over on and even print the passenger manifest. Once you know the name of the ship, you can check to see if anyone on Ancestry has posted photos or stories from their experience on the ship. You can also research census reports of each household. Hope that helps!
More Answered Questions
Anabel
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! Out of the Easy is one of the best books I've ever read and I' d like to ask you what encouraged you to write it. I'm gonna explain myself: I know that your family story motivated you to write Between Shades of Gray and I want to know wich conection you felt with the 50's New Orleans city and why you thougt it could be a story?
TJ
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi! Salt to the Sea was my first book to read by you - I am looking forward to checking out your other novels. I thought Salt to the Sea would make a GREAT movie...all the characters where so real and I felt compassion for them all - have you had anyone approach you about a movie?
Kylie Flynn
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! After reading "Out of the Easy", "Between Shades of Gray", and "Salt to the Sea", I've concluded that Emilia is by far my favorite historical fiction character EVER (though all your characters are spectacular). Her story is so powerful and heartwrenching to me. What inspired you to make her particular story/perspective one of the main focuses of "Salt to the Sea"? -Kylie
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