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The word genealogy can sound boring or even overwhelming to children and adults alike. The study of the family pedigree can play a very important part of teaching children about their family history, respect for their ancestors and pride of their heritage. Genealogy can be fun too. These activity suggestions can help you focus on family values and traditions.
VISIT A CEMETERY
Take your children to different cemeteries where their ancestors are buried. Bring a family history book or old family letters or journal along with you and spend some time telling stories about the deceased person. You might choose to visit the grave every Memorial Day if you live near by. Memorial Day is celebrated in the USA on May 30th but you could observe this day of remembrance regardless of which country you live in.
You could also use this time as a family service project to clean off the grave site. You could bring flowers or send the flowers to their surviving spouse or child as a tribute and remembrance.
MAKE HEADSTONE ETCHINGS
Children will also enjoy making a etching of the headstone. Many tombstones have interesting quotes or sayings. Hold a piece of paper over the stone and rub the side of a pencil lead back and forth across the paper with gentle pressure. If you want to preserve your etching in a scrapbook or frame, use acid free high quality paper and chalks. Archival stores also offer a spray that will protect the paper etching and help preserve it.
CREATE A HERITAGE ALBUM
Scrap-booking is a process that can not be done overnight but your family could start by making a page or two together. Children love this project but will get discouraged if you do not have everything needed to start and finish the project quickly. Be prepared with all of your materials needed ahead of time. You will need acid free cardstock, a acid free glue stick, page protectors, decorative scissors and other themed embellishments like die cuts, paper punches or stickers.
Since you will generally be working with black and white photos, keep in mind that muted tones look the best when used as your overall color theme. Use Off-White instead of bright white accents on your page as well.
Most importantly, write down all the information you can find about your ancestor. Interview living family, show them pictures and ask for details about the event. Find out as much as you can about the where, when, and who. Journaling is a very important part of creating a heritage album.
FAMILY GROUP SHEET
Help your children make their own pedigree chart. Have them start by putting their name in the #1 position on the chart. Your child's Father goes in the #2 blank and Mother is #4. Continue this process until they have a five generation chart complete with dates.
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
Help each child create a Book of Remembrance which is a file of their own family history record. You can add a file tab for pedigree charts, family group sheets, biographies, family portraits, and certificates of importance from church records or civil ceremonies.
GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY FIELD TRIP
Schedule a visit to your nearest genealogical library. If you cannot find one locally, check the yellow pages for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The LDS church owns the largest genealogical and family history center in the world and they open their centers to people of any denomination.
Files are archived in many different ways including computers and microfiche. Information is gathered from all over the world from other churches baptismal and christening records, census files, vital statistic records, immigration and military resources too. Information is quite accurate and has record of over 200 million people dating back earlier than the 1500's.
If visiting with young children call ahead of time and arrange a tour. Given basic family information the guide can assist you in finding information about your specific family branch. Take along your family group sheet or family tree so you can fill in any missing blanks on birth dates, birth place or marriage information, etc.
If you have your family history in order, there is also an opportunity to share your genealogy with others.
RECORD FAMILY HISTORY'S
Visit grandparents and other relatives your children do not know very well. Bring a tape recorder or camcorder and spend an evening recording their stories. To get them started ask questions about where they went to school or how they celebrated holidays. Ask Grandparents questions about how their parents disciplined them can lead to fun stories of mischief. These kind of stories help children recognize their elders as someone they can relate to as well as teaching them respect and appreciation for their ancestors before.
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