Make Genealogy a Family Affair

Make Genealogy a Family Affair

One way to make history come alive for your children is to introduce them to genealogy. When children learn about their personal history, they're able to relate it to the history they learn in class. They also become aware of different cultures while gaining pride in their heritage.

A family history is more than just dates and documents. To engage your children, find ways to help them become connected to their ancestors. Try these activities to spark their interest in your family tree:

o Bring the story to life-Just like in kindergarten, it's better to show than tell. Let your children touch old family documents, heirlooms and other souvenirs from the past. "My mother gave us a piece of hard tack that my great-great uncle had to eat during the Civil War," says Scott Lorenz of Plymouth, Mich. "She showed us bullets from the battlefield. I was only 10, but she definitely had my attention."

o Get the scoop-Every reporter knows the best way to get the inside scoop is to go right to the source. In the case of family history, who better to tell the tale than grandparents and other older relatives? Help your child create a list of questions, arm him with a tape recorder or video camera, and let the stories flow. Your child will have the opportunity to bond with an older relative, as well as create a permanent record of the family's past.

o Special delivery-A great way to learn about our ancestors-and see them as real people-is to read old correspondence. Be it an old announcement, love note or thank you card, letters have a way of engaging the reader, even generations after they were written. Another idea: Arrange for your child to be a "pen pal"-via the postal service or e-mail-to an older relative.

o Everybody is a star-The members of your family are the stars of your family tree, so treat them as such. Encourage your kids to collect autographs, messages and instant photos at family events such as weddings, christenings or reunions. Then your child can refer to the photo and put a face on the "featured characters" in the family history. You also can use the snapshots to create a visual family tree.

By connecting with their ancestors, children become more aware of themselves, their place in the family-and in the future as well.

Mary Dixon Lebeau is a frequent contributor to American Profile.

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