This study traces the history of the text variety 'family chronicle' (Familienbuch, livre de raison, libro de famiglia) in Europe from the 16th century to the early 20th century, not least in its function as a forerunner of the later text varieties 'diary' and 'autobiography'. The text analysis sections of the book are devoted to three Catalan chronicles representative of the type and form of this kind of private literature and the way it was handed down to following generations. One of the chief sources the study draws upon, the chronological record of events (1836-1902) in J. Seriñana`s chronicle, is here made available to interested scholars in transcribed form for the first time. The descriptive section of the study enhances our knowledge of the traditions of Catalan as a written language during the decadència period.