FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

As most of you may know, October is "Family History Month". Many individuals and families will be celebrating this month with events, such as family reunions. In addition to family reunions, listed here are a few activities that you and/or your family might find interesting.

1. Start a Family History Family Tree Chart

This activity will get the research pistons going by allowing you to think about the members of your family in a new way. It may spark memories of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other relatives who might be excellent sources of information regarding the family. These relatives may not live in the same town, but may be contacted by phone, email, or post. This also provides the opportunity for a fun "road-trip".

2. Organize and host a Family Potluck or Cook-Out Event

This activity is less formal and requires far less preparations than an official Family Reunion. The Potluck lunch or cook-out would be an invitation to immediate and extended family members living in the same area, town, city, or county. Everyone would bring a dish and the expectation of having a good time, which will foster establishing and reestablishing connections with folks they have not seen in awhile. Sometimes family members may live in the same area and go without seeing one another for months or even longer.

3. Create a Family MySpace or Social Networking Account and Share with Family

This web resource may provide another means of connecting with family members - no matter where they are located. It also provides the opportunity to share family histories, stories, and/or upcoming events & activities, such as family reunions. In addition, you may share family photos and momentos electronically; thus enhancing the experience and research.

4. Start a Family History Book Club

Book clubs are a splendid way to bring people together. It allows individuals to share ideas and perspectives, as well as opionions involving a particular title, author, event, or subject. For example, the book entitled, Genealogy for the first time: research your family history is a good book with which to begin. Those who have experience conducting genealogy research will be able to provide insight and experience at the discussion. In addition, the book titles do not have to be about conducting research, they could be titles centering on historical or literary figures that help to shape the lives of our ancestors, such as "Gone With the Wind", "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and many others. Even if the title does not have anything to do with history, events, or people, that's okay. If its fun and it brings the family together, you've started a family tradition. The idea is to bring family together and to have fun while doing so.

These are just a few ideas to celebrate Family History Month. There are many others. Let the sky be your limit.