Family Activities to Explore Your Family’s History

What do you remember about your ancestors? What will your children remember? Sharing your stories again and again makes them come alive.

• Sit down with some old photos (whether that's an album, yearbook, or website) and show your kids pictures of their relatives. Tell any stories you can remember, and encourage questions. Maybe you can do a little research together, or ask someone else in your extended family. Is your story written down anywhere? Find a way to record it for your children and grandchildren.
  

  

  

  

• What year was it when you were your child's age? What did you look like back then? Talk about what was happening in your life during that time, or what was happening in the world. Do you remember your favorite things to do? Look up some news headlines or listen to some top hits to jog your memory.
• What are some of the important names in your family? Where do your first name and last name come from -- geographically and historically? Do you know why your name was chosen for you? What does it mean? Are you the only one with your name, or do you share it with others?