family stories
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Father’s Day Ideas
Jun 15
On Sunday, June 18th, 2017 will be Father's Day. A great idea is make your father and / or grandfather your genealogical focus that day and hopefully future days. First, make the plans to spend time with him, and set aside time to interview him. Bring a tape recorder and a notebook to take notes. The interview and series of questions don't have to...
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Email Week
Jun 11
The second week of June is recognized as "National Email Week". On average, about 250 – 300 BILLION emails a day are sent worldwide. How better to let your family and friends know about the week, but by sending an email. More important, you should use that week to send out short tidbits of family history to your relatives and close family friend...
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Tell Your Mom’s Story
May 17
Did you spend a nice day with your mother on Mother's Day? One of the easiest relatives to document and tell their life story would be your mother. Not all individuals of course, but most will have their mother still alive or recently passed (using another person) making it easier to get their story. Start by making notes of what you do know alrea...
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The Family Outhouse
Apr 1
Rarely seen today but in a very few remote locations, but at one time the most important small building was the home's 'outhouse' or toilet facilities outside the house by many yards in distance - not indoors. The outhouse had a seat and a hole, no plumbing needed. It would average 3 to 4 feet square by 7 feet high. It was also referred to as a ne...
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Record or Write the Four Main Family Events
Mar 19
The easiest family stories are the ones you know. You, the researcher of the family's history, do need to take the time to write-up or make a digital recording of four specific family events for future generations. If either or both of your parents are alive, then they too need to take the time now to place in some format the information for the fo...
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A Great Winter Project
Jan 17
Many areas across the country or in other nations have a thick blanket of ice and snow during this time of year. To avoid having to get out in such conditions, this is a perfect time to start a really worthwhile project. Besides gathering the names, dates and basic information on relatives on your family tree, how about taking a different perspect...
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Cue the Story
Nov 21
Sometimes it is hard to know where to start getting a relative to recall their life adventures. It doesn't have to be climbing a mountain or running for political office, it can be everyday activities -- especially those long forgotten. Here are a few cues to spark a recollection. These cues will work for you also, be sure to include any of your re...
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Stories of Coincidences
Nov 15
As you are gathering some of the stories of your ancestors, one aspect many times overlooked or not investigated by asking relatives are the stories of coincidences. Those chance happenings that proved to be major life changes. It could about a job opportunity, a move to a new location, life-saving incident or meeting one's true love. Everyone has...
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Reasons to Do the Family History
Nov 13
Working on your family tree is not just a list of names and dates but rather serves as a spring board to investigating and finding more out about each individual -- a grandmother, a great uncle or great grandaunt. Each ancestor has a story to share with their descendants. The experiences, adventures, problems, hardships and celebrations helped sha...
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Information to Look for in Old Newspapers
Jul 22
People tend to think that old newspapers should go straight to the recycle bin. Genealogists, however, know that old newspapers could have treasures inside them! The stack of newspapers you found while cleaning a deceased relative's home could have important information. There are many things to look for in old newspapers. Obituaries An old new...