Genealogy Hack: Create a Genealogy Bucket List

So the year 2020 hasn’t been entirely predictable has it? We are all for making bucket lists for each season and I love doing that with my family. However, I have never made a bucket list of just family history ideas before. So, I decided to do just that and include things that don’t require large groups.

Spotlight an Ancestor

Wouldn’t it be neat if you took a day, week, or month to spotlight one ancestor? How much do you know about your ancestors? Do you still need to do some research before you do this activity? That’s OK! The one thing that I’ve learned with kids is that it doesn’t have to be perfect for your kids to enjoy it. Start by learning where you ancestor lived and the history of the area. Your ancestor also had jobs and went to school just like your family. Then go to more details if your kids are responding well, but don’t worry if they’re not. They are still internalizing it even they don’t act interested.

Watch History Shows

I remember the time when it finally clicked in my brain that my grandpa lived during WWII. It hit me so hard because I had always separated those two things in my mind. As soon as I understood that my ancestors lived during some of the toughest times in U.S. history, I wanted to learn more about that history. And I haven’t stopped since. You can do that with your kids as well. Every time they learn some history you can tell them about an ancestor that lived during that time.

If you have exciting stories to go along with that history then by all means share it, but if you don’t, then don’t worry about it! My grandpa didn’t even serve in WWII, yet I still feel a connection just by him living a normal life during an abnormal time. For kids you have to make it more than just names and dates. You need to do that for many adults, too! But showing them that their ancestors are a part of bigger historical events will help them make concrete connections.

Learn together by watching historical shows or by finding YouTube videos that will enhance your experience. The point is that whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re showing them that they are a part of history, too.

Travel Bucket List

If you can travel, then there’s no better experience, in my opinion, then going to the places that your ancestors walked. I don’t know why, but in my mind, it makes the travel that much better. However, with the quarantine going on longer then many of us expected, that may not be possible right now. So make a bucket list of your travels for later, but for right now one idea is to have a stay-cation. Many museums and genealogical societies have virtual trips that you can do while sitting at home. Websites such as the Smithsonian History at Home that lets your family learn history while staying at home.

Home Museum

Turn your home into a museum by gathering historical items and letting your family see them in action. Items such as telephones, typewriters, and cameras are popular among kids because it can be a hands-on experience. You can even go so far as setting up your house like a museum complete with ticket admission, a route for customers to walk, and a play area when you’re done. It’s up to you how much or how little you want to make it. In addition, it’s up to you what items you want to focus on. Is your child more into technology? Then show them the tech. Are they more into drawing or baking or writing? Then show them those items. The goal is to make it an experience so that your kids can use all of their senses to connect with their ancestors.

Bucket List Conclusion

These are just some of the ideas that can help your current family connect with your ancestors. You can still brainstorm genealogy ideas with your family to create a genealogy bucket list. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, but it does have to be fun! We all know this so let’s do it! Let’s DO genealogy!

If you want to catch up on my other genealogy hacks for you current family then click on the links below:

• Genealogy Hack: Document Using Your Phone
• Genealogy Hack: Journal Like a Pro
• Genealogy Hack: Use Websites to Engage Kids

In the meantime…good luck and happy hunting!

Tiffany

P.S. Do you want more genealogy tools for your toolbox? Then sign up for my email and get a free download of all my favorite American and Scandinavian genealogy websites to add to your collection!