October is Family History Month, and what better time to work on a special genealogy project? There’s time to organize papers and display old photos, make family tree gifts for Christmas, or work on your own research before the holiday rush. Here are some ideas.
Scanning, Displaying & Using Old Photographs
We all have old or antique photos stashed away, whether from our own childhood or from previous generations. Here are some ideas:
- Scan that collection of old photographs, and choose some to display in a digital photo frame.
- Write captions and identifying information on labels to put on the back of old photos. Then read Protect and Preserve Old Photographs to find out how to care for them.
- Use the multi-media tool in your genealogy software to link photos to your family tree.
Start Writing Your Personal History
Letters and journals from ancestors are a great find, but your children and grandchildren would like to know about you, too.
- Write about your best friend in high school.
- Write about the first date with your spouse.
- Write about how you got interested in genealogy.
- Write what you were doing when you heard about the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
- Write about another memorable event in your life.
- Ask your parents or grandparents the same questions and write their responses.
Make Family History Related Gifts:
With the holidays approaching, Family History Month is a great time to make genealogy-related Christmas gifts:
- Make copies of a favorite ancestor’s photo, put in small, light frames, and give as Christmas tree ornaments.
- Create a montage of ancestors’ photos, or photos of current family members, and give as a gift.
- Write the story of one ancestor’s family and give to family members. If possible, include a photo of them or something related to them.
- Create a digital scrapbook page of an ancestor’s story, plus photos and excerpts from documents, and print as a gift.
- Print a family history book, including stories, photos and documents. Possible resources include Shutterfly, iPhoto & Apple.com, and Ancestry.com’s MyCanvas.
Work on Your Own Genealogy Research
If you don’t want to work on any sideline projects, pick something from your own family tree research to focus on. Suggestions include:
- Choose one family tree branch and make a to-do list.
- Make a timeline for one ancestor and his/her family. Include changes of residence, military service, education, and national events to flesh it out.
- Brainstorm steps to break through a brick wall in your family tree.
- Set aside an hour at a time to sort and organize all those papers you’ve printed out.
- Sign up for a free trial at a subscription genealogy site, such as FindMyPast.co.uk or Ancestry.com. Read Cheap Ways to Use Ancestry.com and Other Sites for more info.
- Make a list of sources needed to verify family tree information.
Other Fun Family History Month Projects
Projects aren’t the only way to find or share your family tree. Here are some ideas for other treats:
- Order a subscription to a family history magazine. Or just buy one copy at your bookstore or newsstand to try out.
- Download a free demo for a new genealogy software program to try.
- Use the website tool in your software program and put the well-researched part of your family tree online. (Save the questionable areas for later – anything you post can be replicated as “proven” by naïve beginners.)
- Join a mailing list related to your surname or region.
- Subscribe to a genealogy blog, such as Dear Myrtle or Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter.
- Write an old-fashioned, snail-mail letter to a parent, grandparent, or other relative of the older generation. About anything. Sure, e-mail and texting are faster, but as genealogists, we know paper letters have longer-lasting (and more heart-warming) value.
Celebrating Family History Month in October is fun. I’ll post what I’m working on in the comments, and I’d love it if you’d share your ideas and experiences, too.
Jennifer Jensen - Jennifer Jensen is an Indiana writer just returned from a lovely few years in County Cork, Ireland. She has been the Feature Writer for ...
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