Question 1

What is Story Grove?

Accepted Answer

A private place where your whole family gathers its stories — written, or recorded in each person's own voice — organized around a living family tree, and woven into keepsake books you can hold.

Question 2

Do my relatives need to download an app or create an account?

Accepted Answer

No. Storytellers get a personal link by email. They tap it, answer the question — by typing, voice, or video — and they're done. No app, no password, nothing to learn. Family members who want to explore the whole archive can sign in with just their email address.

Question 3

How do the weekly questions work?

Accepted Answer

Each week, Story Grove emails your storytellers a question — from our library of 70+ prompts or one your family writes. Answers flow into the family archive, organized by story, ready to become chapters.

Question 4

Can people answer by talking instead of writing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's the heart of it. Relatives can record their answer in their own voice (or on video) right from the link. We transcribe it into text for the book, and the original recording is kept forever. Printed books include scannable codes that play the voice out loud.

Question 5

What makes Story Grove different from a single-memoir service?

Accepted Answer

Single-memoir tools capture one person's account, then they're done. Story Grove gathers everyone — each in their own words — and weaves the versions together, disagreements and all ("Mom remembers it raining; her sister swears it was sunny"). It's a family archive, not just one book.

Question 6

What do the books look like?

Accepted Answer

Real printed keepsakes — a 6×9 hardcover with the stories, photos, and scannable voice codes. You can preview a finished sample book on the site before buying anything.

Question 7

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Plans start at $69 for the first year, which includes the archive, weekly questions, unlimited storytellers, and a keepsake book. The Lifetime plan is a one-time $399 — no renewals, ever. There's no free-trial bait: you buy it once and the family starts that day.

Question 8

Who can see our family's stories?

Accepted Answer

Only your family. Nothing is public, nothing is shared, and storytellers can even hold a memory privately until they're ready. You can export or print everything — the stories are yours.