Reaching Out to the Younger Generation: Be a ... - Crafty Family Tree

Be a history homework helper! (image Microsoft Clipart Gallery)

One of the questions that floats around the genealogy blogosphere is how to share the wonderful things we have learned with our families, particularly younger family members.? In my house, I have a 7 year old daughter, and she is a willing listener when I tell her tales of covered wagons and Arkansas farms.? She even asks me questions sometimes on her own about our family tree.

But I know that won?t last forever.? When kids become ?tweens? (between 10 and 12 years old) and teens, they tend not to be so willing to just listen to parents and grandparents tell stories.? Sometimes you will find a teenaged history buff, but usually they have more important things to think about, like dances and friends and dating.

Here is an idea for creating an opening for conversation:? Give the tweens and teens in your life an open invitation to interview you for a school history project.

The key here is to offer a reason for conversation without forcing anything on them.? If you try to make a kid sit and listen when they would rather be doing something ? anything!- else, they will just resent it.? But history assignments are something they will have to do anyway, and if you gently offer help, they just might take you up on it.

Here is a note you could send with the offer:

Hi Angie!

Since school is starting up again, I wanted to let you know I am always happy to help with history projects if you need it!? I know a lot about our family?s history and have many photos that could be useful for a school assignment, like a history report or interview project.? If you would like to add some of that to an assignment or ask me questions about anything, send me an email and we can set something up!

Here are some of the things that our family has been connected to that might be interesting for a school assignment:

• Annabelle Waters (your great great great grandmother) was part of the Woman?s Suffrage Movement in California- I have a copy of a letter she wrote
• Roger Waters (your great grandfather) served in World War II- I have a picture of him in his uniform
• Our family came through Ellis Island in New York in the 1860s
• William Andresan lived in a communist country as a child
• I saw Martin Luther King Jr speak
• I went to a Beatles concert when I was a teen
• I saw the moon landing on TV live in 1969

If there is something that isn?t on the list, ask me anyway- I might have something you could use.? Just let me know!? And have a great school year!

Grandma Kurtz

If you decide to do this, remember, kids don?t always take us up on our generosity.? It doesn?t mean they don?t love you or that they aren?t grateful!?? It could mean they just didn?t think of it, it could mean they are nervous, it could mean they didn?t have an assignment where they needed help.

But if they do take you up on it, what a great experience for both of you!

A few tips:

*Brainstorm the history connections of your family and think broadly.? Military involvement (even without a war), participating in a movement, seeing someone famous speak, you never know what might be useful.

*If you have special pictures or family heirlooms that are connected to history, make a note of them as these could also be useful for assignments.

*Try not to be too pushy- teens are notoriously difficult when they feel cornered.? Make your offer and then let them make the next move.

*Include parents in anything you send to teens and tweens.? This is important for two reasons- one, the parents can encourage them to ask you for help; and two, some parents may feel uncomfortable if you are contacting children without letting them also know what you are doing.

*If you are comfortable sending them an email, do that, or send it the old fashioned way.? If you think of additional history connections that you didn?t include in your original note, send them an update (but don?t keep emailing them too often or they might just tune you out).

*You can make this offer to grandkids, neices and nephews, even cousins- any kids you think might find your help relevant.? If you send out a holiday card each year, you could even include the note there!

*Remember, no matter what happens, your kindness will be appreciated.? They may never take you up on it, and they might not even remember to say thank you- KIDS!- but it is generous of you to offer.? And you never know, you may help start the next genealogist in your family!

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About Lexie

Lexie considers herself a Craft Hacker- she likes to make lovely things with as many shortcuts as possible! She is addicted to genealogy, but since there are no 12 step programs, she figures she will have to live with it. She is just fine with that.

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