Last week we went through a list of fifteen projects that we can do on our own during the summer months, when our time for research is often a bit more scarce. (See "More Projects In Fifteen Minutes Or Less”.) For some of us though, those fifteen projects might not be enough to satisfy our thirst for family history.

Megan's recent articles on the extreme lengths we go to in our quest for family history revealed that we often involve other family members in our adventures-–sometimes willingly and sometimes not so willingly. (Megan's articles are found here and here.

It would be nice to be able to share summer family history activities with our families, but sometimes it can be difficult to get them involved. Sometimes it may even require some downright deception (not that I am advocating deception of course--I prefer to look at it as “encouragement”). So this week, let's take a look at some ways we can “encourage” our families to join us as we pursue our ancestry.

Switch Sides
I have a bad habit of focusing on my side of the family and neglecting that of my husband. Since my daughter is one of the main reasons I am preserving our family history, this means that I am neglecting half of her heritage. By devoting some time to the other side of the family, I can give her a fuller understanding of her ancestry, and as a bonus, I may also engage the interest of my husband.

Tell Them Family Tree Maker Is Made by Nintendo
(This approach typically works for both children and gaming addicted spouses.)

OK, that would be really deceptive, but let's explore the idea for a minute. I ran across a Chinese proverb that says,

"I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand."

My daughter is at an age where anything she can do on the computer is pretty cool. Why not let her create her own family tree. She can put in her cousins' birth dates and anniversaries, and we can print a calendar so that we're prepared for upcoming events. Taking it back a few generations will help her really get an idea of the relationships of all the people she's been hearing about since she was in a crib.

This isn't a database that I'm going to post online, but rather something that a) will give her an idea of what I am doing, b) will enhance her computer skills, and c) will give her a real feel for her family relationships. Then when she looks at that picture of the Dyer family, she'll know where they fit in our family tree.

Three Little Letters--GPS
My hubby loves gadgets--so much so that he is not allowed into electronics stores without me. (I can't go into office supply or pet stores alone. This arrangement keeps us out of bankruptcy court.) Anyway, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) can help you to create detailed locational references to ancestral homes, graves and other significant features. If your spouse has a passion for technology, why not enlist his or her help in recording the location of places of interest for your family history.

One caveat: Last year we bought a cheap one to help us navigate while we were on a family vacation. It worked great while we were on I-80, but every time we strayed from it we lost a signal. In the event that all our ancestral places of interest had been along that route, we'd have been fine, but unfortunately was not the case. Our ancestors didn't know about I-80 or the cheap GPS and tended to settle wherever they wanted.

Scanning Photos
Last summer as our Midwestern branch of the Dennis family prepared to join our Eastern cousins for a family reunion, my mother put together a CD-ROM presentation of photographs of all of us and some ancestors, from our childhoods to the present. It involved scanning hundreds of photographs, and to accomplish this feat, she enlisted the help of her grandchildren, including my daughter. The kids got a real kick out of seeing their parents dressed in their “freaky” 60s and 70s clothing with some really funky hair-dos, and they were very proud to be included in this project.

Schedule Some Reading Time
If you're like me, you have a pile of books waiting to be read, most of which pertain to family history. My husband is also an avid reader, but it's sometimes difficult for either of us to find time for it. I am also constantly encouraging my daughter to read and since the best way to encourage the habit is to lead by example, we've decided to periodically set aside an evening for reading. TVs, stereos, GameBoys and computers are turned off as we all curl up in the living room with our books.

If you're reading about a historical period and place in which your ancestor lived, slip family group sheet and pedigree charts into book so that you can refer to them briefly and see who and how your family may have been affected by the subject matter. (It's not cheating, it's extra credit.)

Pay Them
OK, paying them to do family history may seem a bit mercenary, but I am living proof that it can pay off. My mother used to pay me a quarter for every ancestral family I found as I re-checked microfilms of U.S. Censuses. It was then that I was bit by the genealogy bug, and I've been craving “happy dances” ever since. Pay your child, niece, nephew or grandchild to help you find that elusive ancestor. Sometimes that extra set of eyes and a fresh perspective might be just what you need. Plus, once they make that first “find,” you've got a good chance at having a family history partner.

Choose Destinations with a Dual Purpose
This year I'd like to visit the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana (www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/index.html). Known for its excellent genealogical collection, although this library is only three hours from my home, I've been unable to get there for a research trip. Coincidentally, Fort Wayne is also home to an excellent children's zoo, which was recently rated one of the ten best in the country by Child Magazine (www.kidszoo.com/default.htm). Hmm . . .

Records Q&A on a Road Trip
I still associate summer vacation with long road trips. We took them every year when I was younger, and we're trying to do the same now. Sure it takes a lot longer driving than flying to your destination, but the fact that some of my fondest memories stem from those road trips stays with me when we're planning to travel. Whenever time and other factors permit, I prefer traveling by car.

For the family historian, this is an ideal time to gather some memories to add to your family history project. After all, you have a captive audience. Try a game of family Q&A with a tape recorder or camcorder rolling. Have your family members tell their favorite family memory. On the return trip, ask each person what their favorite part of the trip was.

For the kids and other passengers, you might want to make up questionnaires they can fill out at their leisure on the trip. (I would hold off on asking the driver to fill out any questionnaires. The memory of the car swerving across the interstate is probably not going to be one that you will treasure.)

Create a Summer Journal
I'm constantly struggling to find time to keep up with recording our current family history. Yet, my daughter seems to have plenty of free time. I'm going to have her help me to create a summer journal of our family's activities. My mother created scrapbooks for many of our summers and browsing through them brings back all those warm memories. I want some of that for my family too.

Create Some Family History
Even though it's tough for us diehards, set aside preserving your family history to make some family history. Spend time with children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and dear friends. Winter will be here soon enough, so go create some summer memories!

Juliana Smith is the editor of the Ancestry Daily News and author of The Ancestry Family Historian's Address Book. She has written for Ancestry Magazine and Genealogical Computing. Juliana can be reached by e-mail at ADNeditor@ancestry.com, but she regrets that she is unable to assist with personal research.

Copyright 2005, MyFamily.com.