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From the desk of Personal Historian,
Kate McCarthy “I am delighted with my completed book which is the outcome of what was a major project for me. It was very enjoyable working with Kate from Forget-Me-Not Life Stories, and I am extremely grateful for her assistance for what I hope will be a lasting legacy for our family. The initial marketing promises about the process, the budget and the performance were all met and I have no hesitation in recommending Forget-Me-Not Life Stories to anyone who has an enthusiasm for recording their life story.” -Trevor Kerr |
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Article about 'Memories of Gallipoli' that featured in The Weekend Sun
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“I loved the way Kate talked with Dad. She was respectful and caring at the interviews with him and the book looks great. Thank you for your lovely way of presentation.”
Janet-Linda Comins |
Kate McCarthy with George Wootton and his book 'A Moment in Time'
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Article in The Weekend Sun
Barbara Waters with her husband's book 'A Question of Beliefs'
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"I experienced excellent service from the start of the project to the successful conclusion."
-Barbara Waters |
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"I recommend Forget-Me-Not Life Stories unreservedly to anyone who wishes to do an autobiography, particularly Kate McCarthy for her patience, understanding, guidance and warmth of personality when we worked together on my book, Journey into the Unknown."
-Sid Pavett "My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed A Journey into the Unknown. It is beautifully written and presented and the selection of illustrations and quotations are delightful additions to the prose."
- John & Jane Richards, Buckinghamshire, U K "I found this book, A Journey into the Unknown to be an amazing, compelling read with a good mixture of emotion and humour. The presentation was well thought out and inviting with a good balance of pictures and photographs to word content."
- Patti Burt, Tauranga |
Sid Pavett with his book 'Journey into the Unknown'
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"Your book, A Journey into The Unknown, has proved a winner with me. It took me back over fifty years to our tour of much of Europe in just three months - a far cry from the successful but less dangerous lives which me, you and John Richards have enjoyed since. We must have been crazy to drive in our little out-of-date van through countries packed with violence and shocking roads fit for only goats and camels. Well, we survived despite some hairy moments. Your story revived some great memories which I had almost forgotten and while I have never met your writer, she certainly captured the feeling of that European trip.
"I know you had a very tough childhood and have done so very well since you arrived in New Zealand but when I read about your early life in your story, it is a miracle you survived without ending up in prison or suffering some equally upsetting fate. I liked the way the writer tells your story without self-pity or exaggeration on your part and leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions."
- Warren Kyd, Auckland
"I know you had a very tough childhood and have done so very well since you arrived in New Zealand but when I read about your early life in your story, it is a miracle you survived without ending up in prison or suffering some equally upsetting fate. I liked the way the writer tells your story without self-pity or exaggeration on your part and leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions."
- Warren Kyd, Auckland
Rosa Cooke with her book
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"I can recommend Kate as a person who can come into your home, make you relax enough to tell your story and be of much help."
- Rosa Cooke |
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"This book is just what I wanted to leave my family and friends. They have all commented on how well it has been put together. Thank you Kate for everything you have done."
- Fay Leach |
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“I am most grateful for the help given to me during the preparation of my book by Kate. The cross checking and editing was really superb and the completion of the design by Melanie and production of maps and references were exceptional. All work was appreciated."
- Alex Emeny |
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Motorhome Magazine, August 2017 (Click on image to enlarge)
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A LOCAL LAD by Jim Simmonds
“Kate put together Dad’s story in a manner that truly portrays my father.We will always be grateful to Kate for her work to preserve Jim’s story. You do a great service for families Kate.”
- Elaine Gooding 
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PICK & SHOVEL TO CARAVANS
Hurst Bros – Early Years in New Zealand’s Caravan Industry “I take this opportunity to confidently recommend Kate McCarthy of Forget-Me-Not Life Stories for her impressive documentation of the script we provided. We appreciate her tireless efforts to ensure that the many photographs/design was of the highest quality.” - Val & Graham Maplesden |
Val & Graham Maplesden
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Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 November 2017
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Click article to enlarge
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Video brings community history to life
Today, storytelling can be delivered in many forms, including video. The subject of a story can range from a person in a family, to the journey of a corporation or the growth of a town. Recently I worked with a passionate team at Western Bay Community Archives, part of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council on a project to capture stories from the past about the Katikati community. During 2017, two short films were presented featuring the memories of Katikati as recalled by two of the town’s most active and well known long term residents, Sally Henry and Pat Pamment.
Sally’s humorous and informative recollections of various events include; the Queen Carnival, which raised funds to build Katikati’s Memorial Hall, the Farmers’ fire, and the Katikati picture theatre. Sally’s recollections present an eye-opening account of Katikati in the late 1940s and 1950s. Pat’s insightful recollections of Katikati life in the late 1930s and 1940s include her Catholic family’s arrival into the heavily Protestant township, fundraising to build a Catholic Church and the impact of World War Two on her family. Pat’s recollections capture some of the significant changes faced by the Katikati community over the years. Please enjoy the films - Memories of Katikati - Sally Henry and Pat Pamment. |
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Peter Mansfield
The idea of putting a book together was rather daunting for me but Kate was very encouraging right from day one and made the whole experience an enjoyable one. She made sure we kept right on track and that my story was accurate, informative and a true record which would be interesting to read.
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Nothing was too much trouble for Kate who was always extremely efficient and punctual when we met to work. She has made the whole process of writing, editing, designing and printing my first publication an amazing one and I would have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone who is interested in creating a memoir and documenting a life or a personal history experience.
- Helen Goldsbury
- Helen Goldsbury
Click here to email Christine or phone 07 548 0385
