Anne Arundel Genealogical Society: From the President

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From the President

From the President

At the start of the holiday season, I always think about gathering together with family and reaching out to those who live too far away to see. I can’t deny that I think about the opportunity to further my family history research, what answers I still need, how I might share what I have already learned. To be sure, some raise their eyebrows and I can almost see what they are thinking: “Here she comes again with all her questions!!” Most like hearing about what I have found about themselves or the early ancestors, if I don’t go into too much detail. Ha! I smile and try to gauge just how much will pique their interest without boring them to tears. This is the perennial dance. 

You might bring a family heirloom or photograph, an historical artifact, a research discovery, or something that you have done to preserve your heritage, and tell its story. We all enjoy seeing other's treasures and get ideas about ways that we can preserve or celebrate our own heritage.

At holiday gatherings, multi-generations come to celebrate your family’s traditions and to enjoy favorite family recipes. It’s also a time that we can begin to interest the younger generations in genealogy, as the children are the future family historians. Start them young, with age appropriate activities. 

Pre-schoolers like to hear familiar stories over and over, enjoy handling objects, but have very short attention spans. Bring a few materials to help them create figures of their family members, or show a special toy or photo and let them guess the story behind it after which you might tell what really happened. Talk about the special foods they like that are part of your family’s tradition.

School-age children can make rudimentary family trees and hear stories of adventures experienced by family members, whether immigration, travel, military service, or childhood escapades. Teach children how to handle heirlooms and photos with care and respect. Begin a family scrapbook. 

Young adults might want to look at your family database, so be sure to bring your laptop! Some may be interested enough to join in on the hunt for an intriguing family member! You might show them how to look something up on Ancestry.com, for example.

Be sure to update family contact information. Show your interest in them and, later on, follow up your holiday sharing by keeping in touch, especially with the children.  They love e-mails, text messages, Skype, Face Time, cards, and photos. Throw in a few family history tidbits each time. You will want to continue the dialogue and to share little by little the story of their family. It's never to late to start!

Happy holidays!

Shelley K. Pollero, President - AAGS
November 15, 2011

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