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NO. 001 — YOUR PRIVATE FAMILY WIKI

Your family's story deserves better than a group chat.The stories go when they go.Write it down while there's still someone to ask.Every family has a story nobody wrote down.The recipe shouldn't live in one person's head.An encyclopedia of one family.

A private wiki for your family’s recipes, photographs and stories. You write it together, and only the people you invite can see it.

Open your accountRead the example wiki
Free during the beta · No card needed
Elena in the garden at Mabini Street, undated.PERSON · RIVERAEXAMPLEElena Rivera
Born
3 March 1931, Cebu
Died
12 November 2018
Spouse
Tomás Rivera
The front of the house, photographed before the 1978 repainting.PLACE · RIVERAEXAMPLEThe House on Mabini Street
Location
Mabini Street, Cebu
Years there
1953–2004
Who lived here
Three generations
The dish as made for the 2019 Christmas gathering.RECIPE · RIVERAEXAMPLELola's Pancit Bihon
From
Elena Rivera
Serves
Twelve, or six Riveras
Occasion
Birthdays, Christmas, arrivals
Most of the family, on the street outside, because nobody fit indoors.EVENT · RIVERAEXAMPLEThe 1978 Reunion
Date
27 December 1978
Place
Mabini Street
Who was there
Forty-one, reportedly
Ah Kong, from the portrait that hung behind the coffee counter.PERSON · TANEXAMPLETan Chee Keong
Born
1929, Tong'an, Fujian
Died
2009
Spouse
Lim Bee Hoon
Number 41 and its neighbour, before the shutters were painted.PLACE · TANEXAMPLEThe Shophouse on Joo Chiat Road
Location
Joo Chiat Road
Years there
1958–1996
Who lived here
Three generations
Seven from one batch, on squares of banana leaf, 2017.RECIPE · TANEXAMPLEAh Ma's Ang Ku Kueh
From
Lim Bee Hoon
Makes
Thirty, from one mould
Occasion
Full months, birthdays, New Year
The round table, borrowed leaves and all, with the lanterns up.EVENT · TANEXAMPLEReunion Dinner, 1988
Date
Lunar New Year's Eve, 1988
Place
Upstairs at Joo Chiat Road
Who was there
Twenty-three, and the cat
Ba, from the studio portrait taken before the ship.PERSON · MEHTAEXAMPLEHansaben Mehta
Born
1929, Ahmedabad
Died
2011, Leicester
Spouse
Pravinbhai Mehta
The front, with the chabutro on the left and the Diwali toran still up.PLACE · MEHTAEXAMPLEThe Haveli in Khadia
Location
A pol in Khadia, Ahmedabad
Years there
About 1895–1984
Who lived here
Five generations
A stack on the steel thali, with chhundo and a cup of tea.RECIPE · MEHTAEXAMPLEBa's Methi Thepla
From
Hansaben Mehta
Makes
Twenty-four, or one journey
Occasion
Every journey
The verandah lit, the rangoli finished, and most of the street outside.EVENT · MEHTAEXAMPLEDiwali in Nairobi, 1971
Date
Diwali, October 1971
Place
Parklands, Nairobi
Who was there
The whole street, at one point
Teta, in the portrait from her engagement, with jasmine from the garden.PERSON · HADDADEXAMPLESalma Haddad
Born
1933, Mount Lebanon
Died
2015, Beirut
Spouse
Fouad Haddad
The front, the outside stair, and the olive tree older than the house.PLACE · HADDADEXAMPLEThe Stone House in the Mountains
Location
Mount Lebanon
Built
About 1895
Who lived here
Every Haddad, every summer
The Sunday tray, scored and baked, with laban and olives on the side.RECIPE · HADDADEXAMPLETeta's Kibbeh bil Saniyeh
From
Salma Haddad
Serves
Ten, with seconds
Occasion
Sundays, and anyone arriving
The lower terrace: nets down, a ladder in the big tree, and the baskets filling.EVENT · HADDADEXAMPLEThe Olive Harvest, 1967
Date
October 1967
Place
The terraces below the house
Who was there
Fourteen pickers, two donkeys
Ruth, from the portrait taken for her fiftieth anniversary.PERSON · MILLEREXAMPLERuth Miller
Born
1932, Wooster, Ohio
Died
2019
Spouse
Walter Miller
The house, the barn and the silo, from the road.PLACE · MILLEREXAMPLEThe Farm on County Road 9
Location
County Road 9, Wayne County
Years there
1921–2008
Who lived here
Three generations of Millers
The lattice, the way Ruth did it: wide strips, woven loose.RECIPE · MILLEREXAMPLEGrandma Ruth's Apple Pie
From
Ruth Miller
Serves
Eight, or four Millers
Occasion
The county fair, Thanksgiving, anyone sick
The long table in the yard, under the bunting.EVENT · MILLEREXAMPLEThe Bicentennial Picnic, 1976
Date
4 July 1976
Place
The farm on County Road 9
Who was there
Most of the township
Mamá Lola, from the photograph on the living-room wall.PERSON · GARCÍAEXAMPLEDolores García
Born
1940, Jalisco
Died
2017, Los Angeles
Spouse
Ernesto García
The house, the bougainvillea and the two palms.PLACE · GARCÍAEXAMPLEThe House on Fresno Street
Location
East Los Angeles
Years there
1968 to now
Who lived here
Three generations
A plate of them, still in their husks, with the salsa in the middle.RECIPE · GARCÍAEXAMPLEMamá Lola's Christmas Tamales
From
Dolores García
Makes
Twenty dozen, give or take
Occasion
Christmas Eve, and the day before
The yard, the papel picado and the cake.EVENT · GARCÍAEXAMPLEMarisela's Quinceañera, 1985
Date
June 1985
Place
The backyard on Fresno Street
Who was there
Two hundred, by Mamá Lola's count
Bà Nội, from the portrait at the family altar.PERSON · NGUYENEXAMPLENguyễn Thị Hoa
Born
1938, Saigon
Died
2020, Houston
Spouse
Nguyễn Văn Tuấn
The house, the garage, and the car that never fitted in it.PLACE · NGUYENEXAMPLEThe House in Alief
Location
Alief, Houston
Years there
1984 to now
Who lived here
Nine people, at the most
A bowl, with the herbs on top and the chopsticks ready.RECIPE · NGUYENEXAMPLEBà Nội's Phở
From
Nguyễn Thị Hoa
Serves
Twelve bowls
Occasion
Sundays, and the first cold day
The table on New Year's Eve, under the lanterns.EVENT · NGUYENEXAMPLETết, 1990
Date
Tết, January 1990
Place
The house in Alief
Who was there
Everyone, for the first time
Halmeoni, from her sixtieth-birthday portrait.PERSON · PARKEXAMPLEPark Soon-ja
Born
1941, Seoul
Died
2021, New York
Spouse
Park Dong-hyun
The house and its neighbours, from across the street.PLACE · PARKEXAMPLEThe House in Flushing
Location
Flushing, Queens
Years there
1983 to now
Who lived here
Three generations
A bowl of it, with the side dishes around.RECIPE · PARKEXAMPLEHalmeoni's Gimjang Kimchi
From
Park Soon-ja
Makes
Forty heads, four households
Occasion
Gimjang, every November
The table on Chuseok night, and the moon.EVENT · PARKEXAMPLEChuseok, 1995
Date
September 1995
Place
The house in Flushing
Who was there
Eleven, and the moon
Nana, from the photograph taken the week she landed.PERSON · DOYLEEXAMPLEBridget Doyle
Born
1928, County Mayo
Died
2014, Boston
Spouse
Michael Doyle
The triple-decker, porches and all.PLACE · DOYLEEXAMPLEThe Triple-Decker on Adams Street
Location
Adams Street, Dorchester
Years there
1955–2001
Who lived here
Three families, one staircase
The loaf, the cross, and the butter.RECIPE · DOYLEEXAMPLENana's Brown Soda Bread
From
Bridget Doyle
Makes
One loaf, gone by noon
Occasion
Every day
The fire, the bunting, and most of the street.EVENT · DOYLEEXAMPLEBonfire Night, 1962
Date
23 June 1962
Place
The lot behind Adams Street
Who was there
The whole street, and the fire department
Nonno, from the photograph for his passport.PERSON · RUSSOEXAMPLESalvatore Russo
Born
1931, Calabria
Died
2012, Melbourne
Spouse
Concetta Russo
The house, the veranda, and the lemon tree.PLACE · RUSSOEXAMPLEThe House in Brunswick
Location
Brunswick, Melbourne
Years there
1962 to now
Who lived here
Three generations
Pasta with the sugo, and basil from the garden.RECIPE · RUSSOEXAMPLENonna's Sunday Sugo
From
Concetta Russo
Serves
Fourteen, under the vine
Occasion
Every Sunday
The long table under the pergola, the grapes overhead.EVENT · RUSSOEXAMPLESunday Lunch Under the Vine, 1980
Date
February 1980
Place
Under the vine in Brunswick
Who was there
Twenty-six
Mama, in the gele she wore to church.PERSON · OKAFOREXAMPLENgozi Okafor
Born
1944, Enugu
Died
2019, Enugu
Spouse
Emeka Okafor
The compound, the gate and the mango tree.PLACE · OKAFOREXAMPLEThe Compound in Enugu
Location
Enugu
Years there
1972 to now
Who lived here
Three generations, and visitors
A tray of jollof, with fried plantain around the edge.RECIPE · OKAFOREXAMPLEMama's Party Jollof
From
Ngozi Okafor
Serves
Fifty, at a party
Occasion
Every celebration
The yard on the wedding day, the drummers at either end.EVENT · OKAFOREXAMPLEChidi and Adaeze's Wedding, 1998
Date
December 1998
Place
The compound in Enugu
Who was there
Four hundred, in matching cloth
Vovó, from her seventieth birthday.PERSON · SILVAEXAMPLEIracema Silva
Born
1939, Salvador
Died
2018, Salvador
Spouse
Antônio Silva
The street, and the blue house in the middle.PLACE · SILVAEXAMPLEThe Street in Santo Antônio
Location
Santo Antônio, Salvador
Years there
1958 to now
Who lived here
Four generations
The feijoada, with the farofa and orange beside it.RECIPE · SILVAEXAMPLEVovó's Saturday Feijoada
From
Iracema Silva
Serves
However many come
Occasion
Saturdays
The street on São João night, the bonfire in front.EVENT · SILVAEXAMPLESão João, 1994
Date
24 June 1994
Place
The street in Santo Antônio
Who was there
The whole street
Cucu, from the photograph taken for her women's group.PERSON · MWANGIEXAMPLEWanjiru Mwangi
Born
1941, Nyeri
Died
2016, Nyeri
Spouse
Kamau Mwangi
The house, the tea rows, and the mountain.PLACE · MWANGIEXAMPLEThe Shamba Below the Mountain
Location
Near Nyeri
Years there
1965 to now
Who lived here
Three generations
Chapati around the plate, sukuma wiki in the middle.RECIPE · MWANGIEXAMPLECucu's Chapati and Sukuma Wiki
From
Wanjiru Mwangi
Makes
Thirty chapati
Occasion
Visitors, and Christmas
The yard on the day, with the cattle at either side.EVENT · MWANGIEXAMPLEThe Ruracio, 1989
Date
August 1989
Place
The shamba near Nyeri
Who was there
Two families, and the cows

A page from the example wiki. The Riveras are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Tans are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Mehtas are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Haddads are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Millers are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Garcías are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Nguyens are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Parks are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Doyles are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Russos are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Okafors are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Silvas are invented.

A page from the example wiki. The Mwangis are invented.

01 — WHAT GOES IN IT

Start with one page.

A person, a place, a recipe, a day everyone remembers, or a story someone tells. Names can link to their own pages, so the wiki grows the way families remember: one thing leading to another.

NO. 01 · PERSONElena RiveraA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe House on Mabini StreetNO. 03 · RECIPELola's Pancit BihonNO. 04 · EVENTThe 1978 Reunion
NO. 05 · STORY“Only a guilty man knows which step to miss.”The Fourth Step · told by Diego, written down by Marisol
Walk through the Rivera family’s wikiThe Riveras are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONTan Chee KeongA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Shophouse on Joo Chiat RoadNO. 03 · RECIPEAh Ma's Ang Ku KuehNO. 04 · EVENTReunion Dinner, 1988
NO. 05 · STORY“A regular is a regular until he says otherwise.”The Marble Table · told by Tan, written down by Rachel
Walk through the Tan family’s wikiThe Tans are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONHansaben MehtaA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Haveli in KhadiaNO. 03 · RECIPEBa's Methi TheplaNO. 04 · EVENTDiwali in Nairobi, 1971
NO. 05 · STORY“It was all photographs by then.”The Suitcase from Mombasa · told by Nikhil, written down by Priya
Walk through the Mehta family’s wikiThe Mehtas are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONSalma HaddadA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Stone House in the MountainsNO. 03 · RECIPETeta's Kibbeh bil SaniyehNO. 04 · EVENTThe Olive Harvest, 1967
NO. 05 · STORY“Tell me what is growing.”Letters from São Paulo · told by Nadia, written down by Karim
Walk through the Haddad family’s wikiThe Haddads are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONRuth MillerA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Farm on County Road 9NO. 03 · RECIPEGrandma Ruth's Apple PieNO. 04 · EVENTThe Bicentennial Picnic, 1976
NO. 05 · STORY“Every square was somebody's Sunday dress.”The Wedding Ring Quilt · told by Linda, written down by Josh
Walk through the Miller family’s wikiThe Millers are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONDolores GarcíaA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe House on Fresno StreetNO. 03 · RECIPEMamá Lola's Christmas TamalesNO. 04 · EVENTMarisela's Quinceañera, 1985
NO. 05 · STORY“A song is just a letter you can't send.”The Guitar in the Closet · told by Marisela, written down by Daniel
Walk through the García family’s wikiThe Garcías are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONNguyễn Thị HoaA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe House in AliefNO. 03 · RECIPEBà Nội's PhởNO. 04 · EVENTTết, 1990
NO. 05 · STORY“We sent our voices because the letters took too long.”The Cassette Tapes · told by Linh, written down by Kevin
Walk through the Nguyen family’s wikiThe Nguyens are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONPark Soon-jaA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe House in FlushingNO. 03 · RECIPEHalmeoni's Gimjang KimchiNO. 04 · EVENTChuseok, 1995
NO. 05 · STORY“She wrote the names on the back so we wouldn't have to ask.”The Album from Seoul · told by Grace, written down by Daniel
Walk through the Park family’s wikiThe Parks are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONBridget DoyleA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Triple-Decker on Adams StreetNO. 03 · RECIPENana's Brown Soda BreadNO. 04 · EVENTBonfire Night, 1962
NO. 05 · STORY“The tunes were the only thing he packed that didn't weigh anything.”Grandad's Fiddle · told by Sean, written down by Aoife
Walk through the Doyle family’s wikiThe Doyles are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONSalvatore RussoA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe House in BrunswickNO. 03 · RECIPENonna's Sunday SugoNO. 04 · EVENTSunday Lunch Under the Vine, 1980
NO. 05 · STORY“He made coffee for anyone who came to the door.”The Moka Pot · told by Rosa, written down by Luca
Walk through the Russo family’s wikiThe Russos are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONNgozi OkaforA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Compound in EnuguNO. 03 · RECIPEMama's Party JollofNO. 04 · EVENTChidi and Adaeze's Wedding, 1998
NO. 05 · STORY“A child is not named until the drum has heard it.”The Drum at Every Naming · told by Adaeze, written down by Tobenna
Walk through the Okafor family’s wikiThe Okafors are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONIracema SilvaA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Street in Santo AntônioNO. 03 · RECIPEVovó's Saturday FeijoadaNO. 04 · EVENTSão João, 1994
NO. 05 · STORY“He kicked it once a year, and then put it back on the shelf.”The Ball from 1970 · told by Paulo, written down by Júlia
Walk through the Silva family’s wikiThe Silvas are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
NO. 01 · PERSONWanjiru MwangiA life, with everyone it touched linked in.NO. 02 · PLACEThe Shamba Below the MountainNO. 03 · RECIPECucu's Chapati and Sukuma WikiNO. 04 · EVENTThe Ruracio, 1989
NO. 05 · STORY“The whole ridge came to hear the news on Guka's radio.”The Radio · told by Njeri, written down by Brian
Walk through the Mwangi family’s wikiThe Mwangis are invented · No sign-up needed to look around
02 — STORIES

Stories fade a little with every telling.

When you write one down, you can note who told it, who wrote it down, and when and where. Those are usually the first details to go.

The Fourth Step
TOLD BY
Diego Rivera
WRITTEN BY
Marisol Rivera
WHEN
Christmas 2019
WHERE
Talisay, after lunch
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. His sister tells it differently.
The Marble Table
TOLD BY
Tan Mei Lin
WRITTEN BY
Rachel Goh
WHEN
Reunion dinner, 2020
WHERE
Her flat, after the steamboat
HOW IT CAME
Second-hand: she heard it from Ah Kong, who told it differently every year.
The Suitcase from Mombasa
TOLD BY
Nikhil Mehta
WRITTEN BY
Priya Mehta
WHEN
Diwali 2018
WHERE
The front room on Loughborough Road
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. He was four on the ship.
Letters from São Paulo
TOLD BY
Nadia Haddad
WRITTEN BY
Karim Haddad
WHEN
The summer of 2016
WHERE
The balcony of the stone house
HOW IT CAME
First-hand, and from the letters themselves.
The Wedding Ring Quilt
TOLD BY
Linda Miller
WRITTEN BY
Josh Miller
WHEN
Christmas 2021
WHERE
Linda's kitchen
HOW IT CAME
Second-hand: Ruth told it to her.
The Guitar in the Closet
TOLD BY
Marisela García
WRITTEN BY
Daniel García-Ruiz
WHEN
2008, after the funeral
WHERE
The kitchen on Fresno Street
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. She was there.
The Cassette Tapes
TOLD BY
Linh Nguyen
WRITTEN BY
Kevin Nguyen
WHEN
Tết 2020
WHERE
The house in Alief
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. She is on the tapes.
The Album from Seoul
TOLD BY
Grace Park
WRITTEN BY
Daniel Park
WHEN
Chuseok 2021
WHERE
The house in Flushing
HOW IT CAME
First-hand, and from the notes in her hand.
Grandad's Fiddle
TOLD BY
Sean Doyle
WRITTEN BY
Aoife Doyle-Martin
WHEN
Nana's ninetieth, 2018
WHERE
The function room in Quincy
HOW IT CAME
Second-hand: Grandad told it to him.
The Moka Pot
TOLD BY
Rosa Russo
WRITTEN BY
Luca Russo
WHEN
Christmas 2019
WHERE
Under the vine in Brunswick
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. She was there for the encyclopaedias.
The Drum at Every Naming
TOLD BY
Adaeze Okafor
WRITTEN BY
Tobenna Okafor
WHEN
A naming, 2020
WHERE
The compound in Enugu
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. Papa named her children.
The Ball from 1970
TOLD BY
Paulo Silva
WRITTEN BY
Júlia Silva
WHEN
21 June 2020
WHERE
The blue house, on the balcony
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. He saw it kicked fifty times.
The Radio
TOLD BY
Njeri Mwangi
WRITTEN BY
Brian Mwangi
WHEN
Guka's memorial, 2015
WHERE
The shamba near Nyeri
HOW IT CAME
First-hand. She was in the yard.
03 — HOW IT WORKS

You don’t need to write a family history. Just answer a question.

  1. 01Open a vaultGive it a name and choose a passphrase. It takes a couple of minutes.
  2. 02Share a linkSend it wherever you already talk. You choose who can edit and who can only read.
  3. 03Add a little at a timeYour vault suggests a question each day. A few sentences is enough.
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION

Which proposal story is worth telling?

Answer it in your vault
04 — PRIVACY

Private by design.

Read the Privacy Policy

Only the people you invite

Your vault isn’t public and doesn’t show up in search engines. People get in only when you send them a link.

Locked with your passphrase

Your wiki pages are locked on your own device before they’re saved, so we can’t read them. Photos, the family tree and chat are private too, and we’re working on locking them the same way.

No ads, no tracking

We show no ads, we don’t follow you around the web, and we don’t sell anything you write. You can download your wiki, or delete the whole vault, from Settings.

05 — THE BETA

Free while we’re in beta.

Everything is switched on, and there’s no card and no plan to choose. In return, we’d love to hear what’s confusing or missing.

Open your account
  • Your own private vault
  • As many relatives as you like
  • Pages and photos, up to 5 GB a vault
  • Family tree with linked pages
  • Earlier versions of every page
  • Save any part as a PDF

GOOD TO KNOWFamvaults is new and still changing, so keep your own copy of anything you can’t replace. You can save a PDF of your vault at any time. If you forget your passphrase, your recovery code or another relative in the vault can let you back in. We can’t, because we never have the key.

Read the Terms

Write it down while there’s still someone to ask.

Start with one page and one relative. The rest can follow.

Open your accountFree during the beta · No card needed

Feedback

Tell us what you think

Something confusing, broken, or missing? A person reads every message.

Nothing is stored — it's emailed to us.