Why are kids and genealogy a great mix?
I remember attending a genealogy conference and being shocked by a presentation by genealogist Judy Russell. She reminded us that family stories are lost within 3 generations if they are not passed down. It is true, think about it…what do you know of your great-grandparents’ lives? Unless you have had a story passed down to you by your grandparents or parents, there is probably nothing beyond the documents you have found through research.
As genealogists, we spend our time looking backwards. However we also need to look forwards, or all our work is for nothing. What will happen to your research when you are gone? Who will fill in your death date on the family tree?
There are a lot of positives around kids and genealogy. Firstly, it’s a fantastic way to spend time with them. Children are naturally curious, especially about things to do with themselves and their family. They can also offer a refreshing perspective on why things happened the way they did. Kids cut through all the social niceties and see the human nature around actions. They certainly know how to call a spade a spade, and can unwittingly help you to break down brick walls through their alternative perspectives! Out of the mouths of babes…
Research has shown that getting involved in the family’s history is good for kids’ emotional health too! They have better self-esteem, strength, resilience and sense of connection via the memories shared with them.
Therefore, children’s involvement in your family’s history ensures the legacy for the future while making memories in the present. It’s all about continuity!
How can you get the children to interact with the family history?
You may have noticed that one child has already taken an interest in the topic and ‘target’ them. However, my advice is to at least start with age-appropriate activities for all of them. You never know which child may suddenly get the bug depending on how engaging you can make the topic! Also, you don’t want to run the risk of children feeling left out, even if they will never be the family genealogist. If possible, catch them young. Get them used to hearing stories about how the family came to be where they are today, or how Uncle Jim saved someone from drowning.
Activity ideas:
There are lots of ways to keep the kids engaged with genealogy. Here are just a few:
- Share photos and objects from your family’s past, and tell the stories that go with them.
- Have them interview different family members and record their stories. Depending on their age, they could then write up one of the stories. Or they might draw a picture to give to that relative. This activity builds up connections and strengthens relationships between the generations.
- Find out what they are studying at school and provide examples related to the topic from within the family tree. I did this with my son when he was studying World War I in primary school. His project included photos, medals and documents about his great-great-grandfather. It enhanced his learning, and he got a great mark. He still has that project and memories of an ancestor he never knew!
- Take them on field trips. Destinations may include ancestral places, cemeteries, cultural festivals for your ethnicity, attractions set in a different era (e.g. Sovereign Hill). What kid doesn’t love a day out, and if you can tie it in with the family tree, all the better!
- Make maps with them that show the places different branches of the family have lived over the centuries. Perhaps link the places with marker or ribbons to show the movement, and where each branch connected up.
- There are many websites to help you find ideas too, here are just a few that may help you:
- https://www.familytreemagazine.com/kids/familytreekids/
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/family-history/host-a-family-history-fair/activities-for-children?lang=eng
- https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Activities_for_Children:_3-11
- https://familylocket.com/family-history-for-children-and-teens/
Say goodbye to bored kids at the weekends…
…there will always be something to get them involved in, that is fun for you all, and helps to amplify that ‘connected family’ feeling!
Do you have any tried and true genealogy-related activities that you’ve successfully used with your kids or grandkids? Comment below!