There are those times when it is a great idea to get the rest of the family involved in Family Research. Explaining to them what family history is, and why you do it, may take the mystery out of it. It may make them more understanding of what you do. What can you do to include the rest of the family in your genealogical research? Here are some ideas:
Frame a pedigree. Each night give a story about each generation.
Show your ancestors on the census. Tell the family what some of the columns represent and what it tells you about your ancestors.
Have a night to dress up like your ancestor, serve a meal they may have eaten.
Discuss one of the Wars (American Revolution, Civil War) and explain the reasons we went to war and how it may have affected those left at home.
Talk about advantages we have our ancestors did not, such as the telephone, refrigerators, toilets, cars, television and electronic games.
Play a game the kids may have played.
Draw a life size tree and put your family on the branches
Get a map and trace your familys migration patterns
Make a time capsule
Start a journal
Start a family blog
Interview a relative, write a story as a family about the visit
Host a Family Reunion
Discuss the meanings of each persons first name and your surnames
Learn about a Country your ancestor immigrated from
Find your ancestor on Ellis Island
Help your Boy/Girl Scouts with their Genealogy Merit Badge
Fill out a Family Group Sheet
Let the kids help find headstones at the cemetery
Make a PowerPoint about your family
Watch a historical movie such as Roots and discuss it
Watch Roots Television together
Hold a chat with family members who live out of your area
Discuss medical treatments from the past, how does it differ from today
Discuss the styles of clothes
Discuss the way school was different
Discuss the mode of transportation
Look at your old photographs; make a scrapbook
Show the family old documents you have collected
Look at your ancestors signatures you may have on documents
Take a trip to the genealogical library
Show a relationship chart and explain it
Show the Family Bible handed down or some other item you may have inherited that has special meaning to you.
Make a pretend census using your street or neighborhood
Use Google Earth to see your ancestors homeland
Take a trip to your ancestors homeland
For more tips: Genealogy for the Youth
101+ Fun Family History Activities for Kids