2019-12 Dec - Engage your Children in Family History

Dec 8, 2019 family history children helping Ali

Hello from your Ward Temple & Family History Consultants:

WHAT?

• Engage your children in Family History

WHY?

• Recently, a sister in our ward told me that she wants to engage her children more in Family History. So I thought I would share a fun activity we have done with our children (as little kids and as adults).
• Origin Story: This activity was originally prompted by my long-ago experience as an Army Officer when I was tutoring an Lieutenant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ali verbally named 10 generations of his family to me, off the cuff! As a young Lieutenant I remember being so impressed that he could do that. I thought as a member of a church with a focus on family history that I should know my own generations a little better. I didn’t invent the game, but Ali prompted me to do it within my own family. It helps get beyond only knowing them as “Grandma”.

This activity is tested and child approved. We have found our children interested in playing this memory game. Some more than others because each child is different. If you’re excited to do it, they may be more inclined. Little children are the easiest. Teens are possible. Even adult children enjoy this at family gatherings. If you have a family history expert among your children, they can be the “call a friend” for times where siblings get stuck, or go last. Knowledge of your generations helps instill awareness of where they came from, which builds resilience according to social science studies.

WHEN?

• Prep time (remember yourself or print a family search fan chart as an answer sheet). Doing Popsicle sticks takes longer, but can be fun too.
• 20 Min to conduct the activity

HOW?

1. Draw an empty family tree on a blank sheet of paper or a white board.

   • TIP: If your children benefit from kinesthetic activity, then buy a box of Popsicle sticks and write each ancestor’s name on one per stick. Or print them all out and cut it down to one strip of paper per name. Whatever works for your context.

   • Leave a blank space for each parent so the kids can put their guess into the spot.

   • Leave a blank space for each paternal grandparent and each maternal grandparent.

   • TIP: If you have never done this before, you may want to limit the game to 4 generations. If your kids are getting better then up the tree to 5, 6, or 7 generations. Or chop up the strips or sticks to only first name, or middle name or last name. This increases the difficulty.

2. Ask the children to identify their parents names. You may be surprised that some children do not know your middle name.

3. Ask the children to identify their grandparents full names. Saying “Grandma” doesn’t count.

4. Stop while they’re having fun. If they want to try one more generation, try for Great Grandparents.

5. Repeat this game once per year.

Recap:

• April - Post audio recorded memories to familysearch.org.
• May - Post photographs of your ancestors to familysearch.org.
• June - Type a brief memory of your own experience with a deceased ancestor or relative into the memories section of familysearch.org.
• Aug - Perhaps write your own history for those that come after you.
• Sep - Motivational message, not a how-to.
• Oct - How to use screen sharing & phone meetings as an option to help with your FH challenges.
• Nov - Make a plan for your family history service to focus your efforts.

HERE A LITTLE, THERE A LITTLE - We can help you succeed little by little, one thing at a time. Feel better by doing small & simple things in small segments of time. Great things come to pass over time, so don’t give up. We can help you start! Contact one of us.

Your relatives beyond the veil will thank you for your efforts.

Your Ward Temple & Family History Consultants