About This Idea
Discover your ancestry by interviewing family and researching family history. This 15-minute social studies activity teaches research skills, family history, and genealogy basics. Learn about your great-grandparents and where your family came from.
#genealogy#family-history#research#social-studies#interview
Progress Milestones
Track your progress with these key achievements:
1
10 minutes
Family tree drawn for three generations
2
20 minutes
Interviewed family, filled in names and dates
3
30 minutes
Researched online, found historical context
Common Challenges & Solutions
Every beginner faces obstacles. Here's how to overcome them:
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Family members don't know or won't share information
Solution: That's okay! Work with what you have. Some families have complicated histories. Focus on what people are comfortable sharing. Even partial information is valuable.
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Can't find records online
Solution: Not all records are digitized. Many are in physical archives, libraries, or churches. Start with what family remembers. Professional genealogists spend years researching—this is just your beginning.
Share Your Progress
Celebrate your achievements and inspire others:
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Create a nice copy of your family tree to give to grandparents
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Share interesting family stories you discovered
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Make a presentation about your family history
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Continue researching—add more generations over time
Reflection Prompts
Deepen your understanding with these thought-provoking questions:
1
What surprised you most about your family history?
2
Which ancestor would you most like to meet and why?
3
How did historical events affect your family?
4
What family stories do you want to pass down?