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 family’s 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 person’s 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 ancestor’s 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 ancestor’s homeland
• Take a trip to your ancestor’s homeland
• For more tips: Genealogy for the Youth
• 101+ Fun Family History Activities for Kids