Publish the Vevang Family History Book

Hello, my fellow Vevang descendants! I'm Jenny, Debra Vevang Menzel's only daughter, and I'm here to ask for your help in packaging my mom's extensive research on the Vevang Family into a beautiful book that you and your family can enjoy and pass along to future generations.

Since 2015, my mom has been fervently compiling vital information, pictures, and stories of the direct descendants of Iver Vevang, who emigrated from Norway and settled in Roslyn, South Dakota in 1888. If you've joined the Vevang Family History Facebook Group, you've likely seen bits and pieces of the book's content so far.

The youngest of 30 cousins, Debra is passionate about sharing the history of where we come from, and I would love to bring her labor of love into your homes. As a professional graphic designer that's illustrated, designed, and formatted best sellers like Merle R. Saferstein's Living and Leaving My Legacy, Volume I and Volume II, I'm equipped to package my mom's work into an impressive keepsake. However, I have limitations that have prevented me from finishing.

Why do I need your help?

My mom has compiled over 600 pages of information and photos that will need to be properly formatted to lower the page numbers into something more manageable. Being a photo and document-heavy book adds to the difficulty, which means it takes A LOT of time — time that will take away from my being able to take on paid projects to finance my daily expenses.

Naturally, I am not charging my mother to edit, format, design, or publish her work, something that can cost authors thousands of dollars. Publishing a book of this quality and magnitude is an incredible undertaking, and I'm happy to donate my time. Realistically, it will take 2-3 months of part-time work, as I need to devote a portion of my day to my health (I am currently recovering from an intense treatment for chronic Lyme disease, which was followed by another infection that left me 20 pounds lighter).

I set a goal of $8000 to cover 2-3 months of my basic living expenses, which include treatments, therapies, health insurance, phone, and design software subscriptions. Normally I can work faster, but the intensity of the last round of treatments requires much rest and repair until I regain my strength.

If I can meet this goal, I plan to not take any other jobs for the entirety of July and August so that I can complete this project by the end of September. I'll be staying with my mom during this time so that I can work directly with her while I continue to rebuild my health. All donations will go directly to Debra's account, and should there be any additional funds, outside of my listed essentials, they will remain with her for all her years of hard work.

The Book

We plan to keep this book as affordable as possible, with a projected price of $49.95. It will be self-published through Amazon as an 8.25" x 11" hardcover with black and white pages. This is the best option for printing, as it makes the book more affordable to you, the buyer, and it avoids the need for us to meet a minimum quantity to print and to keep an inventory. Profits are minimal, as printing costs have recently jumped. For each book sold at this price, roughly $15 will go to my mom.

While we have not settled on a cover design yet, the following images depict pages I've already completed from Chapter 1. Zoom in to have a look.

What’s Inside?

1. Timelines and history of:

2. Certified documents (census, birth, marriage, death, etc.)

3. Original letters

4. Authentic and restored photos

5. Official maps

6. Index

Donations help us get this book available for purchase. All donations will go directly to the above-mentioned expenses, and if I can meet my goal, I guarantee a release date of September 30th, 2023. If I only meet a portion of it, it may take me longer, but it is my goal to complete the book as soon as possible — ideally, in 2023.

Other Donation Options & Info

If you have hesitation about donating through GoFundMe but wish to contribute, please contact Debra or me directly to arrange your preferred payment option. GoFundMe deducts 2.9% from each donation, and any tips left through this platform go directly to GoFundMe. If you don’t wish to leave a tip to GoFundMe, be sure to scroll the slider option to $0.

A Special Thank You

There have been so many family members that have provided valuable information that landed in the book, especially from Bonnie Vevang. Without you all, this book simply would not be, and it is truly a family effort. Thank you to all who took the time to read this, even if you don't desire to donate.

You can show support by posting this campaign to your social media platforms or sharing it with family members that may have an interest in donating. Your wishes for our success and words of encouragement are plenty of a donation, as well.

In gratitude,

Jenny (Vevang) Menzel