SHOW NOTES: Weave more family history into your holidays and get the whole family involved in capturing stories and finding joy in genealogy. Here are 5 ideas that will enrich your family gatherings. 

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Show Notes

The show notes follow below. Premium Members can download the ad-free Show Notes handout .

#1 Stimulate conversation about family history during gatherings.

Christmas wreath

Watch the 4-part series Family History Christmas Wreath, part of the Family History Craft and Displays YouTube playlist.  It’s an old video series but you’ll get the step-by-step instructions you need to create a family history Christmas wreath.

Christmas Stocking

Watch Family History Crazy Quilt Christmas Stocking

Christmas candy

Check out the Premium video Inspiring Ways to Captivate the Non-Genealogists in Your Life which includes the template to create the candy bar lable.

Table Conversation Prompts

Suggested prompts:

• Who is the oldest relative you remember meeting? Around what year were they born?
• What was your favorite toy as a child?
• Tell us about your most memorable Christmas.

#2. Record conversations

With permission of course! Use the Voice Memo app on your phone. 

#3. Mention your interest in family history in your cards to relatives

Even just a brief mention of your continued interest and genealogical activity might cause a relative to share a family photo, story or document.

#4. Have Family History Fun!

Family history and genealogy are fun and there are lots of ways to help your relatives see that.

Old Catalogs

Look up old catalogs and share memories of favorite toys, clothing and more. Here are three great places to find them:

Google Books: Sears Wish book results

Ancestry.com: U.S., Historic Catalogs of Sears, Roebuck and Co., 1896-1993

Google search: Search for Sears Wish Book 1960…1970 (substitute the desired years)

Yearbooks & Photos

Look up high school photos in old yearbooks online. Screencast your phone to your TV screen so everyone can join in the fun. Here are two great sources for yearbooks:

• MyHeritage Yearbook collection
• Ancestry Yearbook collection

MyHeritage AI Time Machine

Offer to run photos (adults only) through MyHeritage’s AI Time Machine

#5. Select one research project for the New Year.

Learn more about developing research questions by watching Avoid Rabbit Holes and Find More Genealogy

Watch Research Methodology videos and get the downloadable handouts (included with Genealogy Gems Premium Membership.)

Watch Using Evernote to Create a Research Plan (Premium)