Today many people are actively pursuing genealogy and family history to develop an understanding of the past, but there are many ways to remember and memorialize parents, grandparents, and other ancestors who impacted the lives of their descendants. Here are ten ways to create a lasting memorial.
Honor Military Service or Cultural Heritage
1. Create a shadowbox display devoted to the military career of an ancestor. Start with a photo of the person in uniform, and add dog tags, medals, certificates, and an appropriate flag.
2. Join a lineage society or ethnic organization. Lineage societies honor those who fought in wars or who contributed to society in some way. Societies such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, or the General Society of Mayflower Descendants remember those who sacrificed to create the United States. Organizations like the Polish Heritage Society, the Asian Cultural Society, or the Voice of Roma help preserve the history and culture of immigrants in their new homes.
Cook, Sew, or Restore a Sentimental Treasure
3. Sew a quilt that tells the story of one ancestor, or create a family quilt with a square for each family member. Use scraps of fabric from favorite clothing, or embroider names and dates on the squares. For a modern touch, copy photos onto fabric and incorporate them into the quilt.
4. Restore a piece of furniture with sentimental value, like a favorite rocking chair or occasional table. Attach a brief story and photo of the person who made or used the piece, and what it means to the descendants.
5. Compile a cookbook of favorite family recipes. Include pictures of people and places, memories of helping make some of the dishes, and where the recipes originated.
Grow a Family Garden
6. Plant a memory garden. Include flowers that the person loved, or select heirloom vegetables that might have been grown on the great-grandparents’ farm. Planting a Colonial herb garden, or selecting plants native to a particular area are also ways to honor one’s ancestors.
Write it Down
7. Write the story of an ancestor’s life. Provide the basic facts, and then focus on specific memories of that person, or what life was like for him at the time. For recent immigrants, check the Ellis Island website for records and pictures of the ships on which they arrived.
8. Write a poem or song about someone who played an important part in one’s childhood, or about a dramatic event in the life of an ancestor.
9. Make a genealogy or heritage scrapbook. A scrapbook can be fun to put together and can provide a wonderful way to share family history with the younger generations. Keep a book for yourself, and make copies to give to others. Read Create a Genealogy Scrapbook for ideas on what to put in the scrapbook.
10. Compile a memory book on yourself as a gift for future generations. Include pictures and written memories of all those things you’d like your descendants to know and remember about your life.
Preserving Memories for the Future
All of these projects can help family members preserve the memories of loved ones, and at the same time, create new treasures for future generations. Such lasting memorials ensure that important people and events are not forgotten as soon as they’re gone.
For other ideas on genealogical projects, see Volunteering in Genealogy: Opportunities for Giving Back.
Katharine Garstka - Katharine Garstka specializes in genealogical research and in historical and genealogical writing.
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