So you may be asking, "What can I do to celebrate Family History Month?" Well, the possibilities are endless! Let's discuss a few options.
Here are TEN things you can do this October to celebrate Family History Month!
- Fill in gaps on your family tree
Without realizing it, you probably have some gaps in some of your ancestors' timelines. Check through and see if there are any records you can try to locate to fill in any missing pieces.
- Write a story about an ancestor
Our ancestors' lives are more than just dates on a timeline. They have a story. They experienced life. They lived through certain events. They made a difference (whether good or bad). So write their story. If you don't know where to begin, I suggest checking out Lynn Palermo with Family History Writing Studio. She has classes that help people turn their research into stories.
- Visit a Cemetery to take pictures
Every day, more and more people are adding requests to Find a Grave for pictures of ancestors' headstones. And Billion Graves can always use more photos of headstones as well. So take some time to enjoy the fall weather in some cemeteries and take some photos.
- Digitize photos and/or documents
Tell the truth, I know you have got at least one box of photos that still need to digitize that you keep putting off doing. Well, get on it! Check out Lisa Lisson with Are You My Cousin? for some great tips on digitizing your family's photos.
- Interview Family
Visit with some family and ask them some questions about their life. Put together some questions beforehand so you are prepared. Also, see if they would allow you to film or record them while they are talking.
- Make a Family History Craft
What's the point of doing the research if you can't show it off and share it with others? So work on a scrapbook, put together a shadowbox, dedicate a curio cabinet to some family history items, make a family tree to display, etc. There are so many ideas available on Pinterest. Plus check out my YouTube Series called Craft Time with Auntie Jen.
- Write your own story/timeline
We focus so much on our ancestors that we forget that our stories/lives matter too! One day generations down the road, our descendants will be researching OUR lives. So why not make it easy for them now and start documenting it through a timeline, stories, photos, etc.
- Transcribe/Index records
FamilySearch.org is always looking for volunteers for transcribing records or indexing them. Also check out your local State Archives, like the Missouri State Archives. They digitize new death certificates every year and always need volunteers to index them.
- Prepare some family recipes
Are there some recipes that have been passed down through the years that you have just been dying to try? Well, now's the time! With the holidays coming up, wouldn't it be great to learn how to prepare grandma's favorite casserole dish or your great Aunt's favorite pie?
- Research the Country your ancestors came from
If you live in the US, then more than likely your ancestors came from somewhere else. Like most of my family is from Germany. So take some time and learn about where they came from: The local village history, their traditions, their food, their music, their language, etc. They try to learn what caused your ancestors to leave their home country and head to a new one. Was there a war? Political Unrest? A famine?
There you go! Ten ways you can celebrate Family History Month. Now obviously there are many more options of things you can do such as visiting local history museums, helping friends work on their family history, watch old family movies... like I said the possibilities are endless.
Do you have some ideas on what to do to celebrate this month? Leave your ideas in the comments below! We'd love to see them!
Without realizing it, you probably have some gaps in some of your ancestors' timelines. Check through and see if there are any records you can try to locate to fill in any missing pieces.
Our ancestors' lives are more than just dates on a timeline. They have a story. They experienced life. They lived through certain events. They made a difference (whether good or bad). So write their story. If you don't know where to begin, I suggest checking out Lynn Palermo with Family History Writing Studio. She has classes that help people turn their research into stories.
Every day, more and more people are adding requests to Find a Grave for pictures of ancestors' headstones. And Billion Graves can always use more photos of headstones as well. So take some time to enjoy the fall weather in some cemeteries and take some photos.
Tell the truth, I know you have got at least one box of photos that still need to digitize that you keep putting off doing. Well, get on it! Check out Lisa Lisson with Are You My Cousin? for some great tips on digitizing your family's photos.
Visit with some family and ask them some questions about their life. Put together some questions beforehand so you are prepared. Also, see if they would allow you to film or record them while they are talking.
What's the point of doing the research if you can't show it off and share it with others? So work on a scrapbook, put together a shadowbox, dedicate a curio cabinet to some family history items, make a family tree to display, etc. There are so many ideas available on Pinterest. Plus check out my YouTube Series called Craft Time with Auntie Jen.
We focus so much on our ancestors that we forget that our stories/lives matter too! One day generations down the road, our descendants will be researching OUR lives. So why not make it easy for them now and start documenting it through a timeline, stories, photos, etc.
FamilySearch.org is always looking for volunteers for transcribing records or indexing them. Also check out your local State Archives, like the Missouri State Archives. They digitize new death certificates every year and always need volunteers to index them.
Are there some recipes that have been passed down through the years that you have just been dying to try? Well, now's the time! With the holidays coming up, wouldn't it be great to learn how to prepare grandma's favorite casserole dish or your great Aunt's favorite pie?
If you live in the US, then more than likely your ancestors came from somewhere else. Like most of my family is from Germany. So take some time and learn about where they came from: The local village history, their traditions, their food, their music, their language, etc. They try to learn what caused your ancestors to leave their home country and head to a new one. Was there a war? Political Unrest? A famine?
Happy Family History Month!
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