Adults interested in genealogy and family history often want to share that interest with their children. Youngsters may not be so enthusiastic, though, so parents and grandparents need to find creative ways to get them started. Here are some websites to explore and some books to buy or borrow from the public library that offer ways to make genealogy rewarding and exciting for everyone in the family.
Websites on Genealogy for Kids
Family Tree Magazine has a website especially for children – it provides activities such as solving mysteries and craft projects for kids. It also includes downloadable charts and forms to fill out, and has a section on help for adults working on activities with their children.
Another site, Genealogy Websites for Kids, lists useful websites for children and parents or teachers looking for resources for family history projects and lessons.
Cyndi's List, the giant genealogy website, has a section called Kids & Teens, which provides links to many useful websites, mailing lists, publications, and other online resources.
Books on Genealogy for Kids
A number of general books on getting started with genealogy are suitable for older children, but also look for these books that were designed specifically for children.
The Kids’ Family Tree Book, by Caroline Leavitt. Sterling, 2007. Ages 4-8. Leavitt’s book introduces interviewing and using libraries and the Internet to learn about family history. Projects include family trees, books, a family newsletter, and planning a family reunion.
Climbing Your Family Tree: Online and Off-line Genealogy for Kids, by Ira Wolfman. Workman, 2002. Ages 9-12. Climbing Your Family Tree teaches children to find useful documents, compile oral histories, make family history scrapbooks, and create a family tree. It includes a chapter on online research
The Great Ancestor Hunt: The Fun of Finding Out Who You Are, by Lila Perl Yerkow. Sandpiper, 1990. Ages 9-12. The book includes reasons people should learn about their ancestors, origins of names, immigration to the U.S., and an introduction to genealogical research.
Roots for Kids: A Genealogy Guide for Young People, by Susan Provost Beller. Genealogical Publishing Co., 2010. Ages 9-12. This book provides an introduction to genealogy, and allows parent (or teacher) and children to learn together. While the book has an educational approach, it emphasizes that family history can be fun and interesting.
Creating Jr. Genealogists: Tips and Activities for Family History Fun, by Karen Frisch Dennen. Ancestry Publishing, 2003. Dennen’s book introduces family activities to help ensure that children know and enjoy their family history. The book includes suggestions for creating a family tree, exploring cemeteries, and researching online records.
The Family Tree Detective: Cracking the Case of Your Family’s Story, by Ann Douglas. Owl Books, 1999. Ages 7-12. The Family Tree Detective includes charts to fill out, and detective-style activities that teach youngsters the basics of genealogical research.
Kids can Share your Passion for Genealogy and Family History
Children may not think that genealogy sounds like much fun at first, but the ideas to be found in these books and on kid-centered family history websites can show them what adult genealogists already know – that learning about your heritage can be fascinating.
For more ideas on sharing family history, read Fun Family History Projects for Children and Families, Make Your Own Custom Christmas Cards Using Old Photos and Images, Creating a Family Heritage Cookbook, and Teaching Tweens and Teens Genealogy and Family History Skills.
Katharine Garstka - Katharine Garstka specializes in genealogical research and in historical and genealogical writing.
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