4 Easy Ways to Share Family History

Do your children know their family history? In the day-to-day bustle of life, it can be easy to forget to share family history. When you share family history, you let your children know where they come from.

It gives them a window into who you are and why you value and celebrate the things you do. It can give them a stronger sense of who they are as well. When you know your roots and family history, you’re better able to understand why your family does what it does and what has helped shape who you are.

Be intentional about sharing family history with your kids to make sure they know not just about you but where they came from by doing the following four things.

1. Tell stories.

   Do you talk about your childhood or your grandparents? What are some favorite memories you have from your childhood? Did you go anywhere or experience anything that you look back on with fondness now?

   What do you remember of your parents or grandparents while you were growing up? Did you see them often? What would you do when you saw them? Did they teach you anything?

   When you think of your grandparents, what comes to mind? Did they do anything that seemed odd to you when you were a kid? Does it still seem odd to you now?

   Have your kids ask your parents what they remember about your childhood and theirs. What are their favorite memories? See our Questions to Ask Your Mom for ideas.

   You can even adapt it for your kids to ask their grandparents. Is there anything you wanted to know about your parents, their childhood, or your grandparents? Now’s the time to ask. Does your child have any questions for you? For their grandparents?

   By sharing family stories, your kids will gain some insight into why you are the way you are.

2. Make a family tree.

   How far back can you go? Making a family tree can give your child a visual of how large or small your family is. Once your tree is done, see if you can share a story about each person on your tree. What stories can your child share about the people on the tree?

3. Research your family history online.

   If you couldn’t go very far back on the family tree, or even if you were, research your family online and see if you can add anything. There are many genealogy sites now that can help you fill in your family tree. You might even come across pictures or new information.

4. Research your family crest.

   Family crests were once passed down to the firstborn son and gave insights into a family’s history and achievements. They are no longer prevalent, but you might be able to find one for your family online.

   If you do find one, what information can you glean from it? Do you feel it still represents your family? How would you change it, if at all?

   If you can’t find one or don’t feel your crest represents your family currently, create one for your family. What achievements do you want represented? What symbols or designs would represent these?

   What colors match your family now? Does everyone in the family agree on what your crest should look like? Make it as simple or complex as you want. When you’re done, hang it somewhere everyone can see it.

Children grow up quickly. It may not seem that way while they’re growing, but they do. Before you know it, they’ll be out of the house and on their own. Will they know their family history?

Unless you intentionally share family history, they won’t. By telling stories, making a family tree, researching your family online, and researching or creating a family crest, you’ll make sure your children know where they came from and have a better understanding of who they are because of it.