A to Z Challenge - K

The Blogging from A to Z Challenge is to post everyday (except Sunday) in the month of April 2016 starting with the letter A and going all the way to Z. The theme I chose is Genealogy Tips. At the end I will give a related post from my blog Genealogy: Beyond the BMD.

K is for Kids

Get the kids involved! Some of my fondest memories, and what got me interested in genealogy at a young age, are of family dinners or get-togethers and all the aunts and uncles and grandparents telling stories about their younger days.

There are many ways to get the kids interested in their ancestors.  Some heritage parks in Canada have summer camps for kids.  My grandson went to one and he wants to go back this year. They live in the 1800's and learn how to make things from that time. A wonderful experience.

Raiden at Camp

My favourite is to make books. You don't have to be a professional writer, younger kids like the pictures just fine, and just use your own heartfelt words. You can get books made pretty cheaply at an office supply store. I like the idea of writing a book for each of the grandchildren telling them which ancestor they are most like and why.  Try to make it exciting. Find something that interests them and look for an ancestor that matches.

The kids touch on family trees in school and of course they call me when they need info. One grandson was excited to learn that his 10x great grandfather came to Quebec from France in 1613. "Wait!" he said. "That's 400 years ago. Four hundred years!!" He was amazed, especially that they had to take long voyages in "fancy" wooden boats across rough seas to get here.

I found out another grandson couldn't wait til he was old enough to join the highlander cadets.  He was intrigued when I told him that my grandfather also joined the highlander cadets and he would be very proud. And many of his ancestors were in the militia or the armed forces.

Other ideas:
- Card games using ancestors pictures - like Go Fish or Memory. (They have to say the ancestor's name)
- I found a simple copy and paste code for a webpage memory game where you can substitute your ancestor photos.  I did one a few years ago in December with everyone wearing Christmas hats, the kids loved playing it on their device.

Are you as lucky as I am to have your children and grandchildren interested in their ancestors? Can you think of others ways to get them interested?



Related Post:  Raiden's Camp

A to Z Challenge - J

The Blogging from A to Z Challenge is to post everyday (except Sunday) in the month of April 2016 starting with the letter A and going all the way to Z. The theme I chose is Genealogy Tips. At the end I will give a related post from my blog Genealogy: Beyond the BMD.

J is for Joiners


Our ancestors were joiners. They joined church groups, sports clubs, fraternity orders like the Masons and the Oddfellows, and social clubs.  Even with all the work they had to do and the children they had to raise, they liked to be part of a group of like minds.

Verdun United Church Ladies Aid Society 1910

All the ladies names are written on the back, my grandmother age 16 is far left first row. Her mother, my great grandmother age 43 is the far right middle row. I adore all the hats. The minister took the photo.

Some members of fraternal lodges have their symbol engraved on their tombstone. This is the gravestone of my 2x great uncle Thomas and it has the symbol for the Masons at the top.

To find out if your ancestor joined a club, society order or lodge, check for the group's publications at the local library.  Also take a look at the links below I have quite a few listed with lists of members.

Related Posts:  Clubs 

                      Societies, Orders and Lodges

A to Z Challenge - I

The Blogging from A to Z Challenge is to post everyday (except Sunday) in the month of April 2016 starting with the letter A and going all the way to Z. The theme I chose is Genealogy Tips. At the end I will give a related post from my blog Genealogy: Beyond the BMD.

I is for Inventions

I never would have thought to look at invention patents to find my ancestors. That's not the kind of people we are.  Ha!  Was I surprised to find my 2x great grandfather was granted a patent for his method of making a secret pocket in trousers!  Then I got another surprise. The paint and varnish company my grandmother owned hired a neighbour inventor to devise a way of making silk screen posters. You just never know where you are going find your ancestors hiding!

1891 Patent for perforated toilet paper roll (and the right way to hang it)

While you are looking up your ancestor names check out other patents, some are quite amusing. Also you don't want to write about anything in your family story that hadn't been invented yet!

You may find invention patents at your country's patent office and notices in the official gazette. If you don't find one of your ancestors, try a company they owned or worked for.




Related Posts:  Patents on Google,  Canada Patents and Who's Bright Idea Was That?