Along with ideas of preserving the past, my grandmother gave one of the greatest gifts to each of her children when they married. She gave them a birthday book, where she had recorded the birthdays of everyone in the family. My mother continued to fill out the book, even adding her side of the family and death dates as they came along. This has been a blessing since I started my family research. I have a place to start with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins (except the youngest) written first in my grandmother's handwriting, then my mother's.

These books used to be sold in fine stationery stores, but I have not seen one in many years now. A 365-day calendar, with ample space to write, would also work.

Thanks to Brenda Cain for today's Quick Tip! If you have a tip you would like to share with researchers, you can send it to: ADNeditor@ancestry.com

Quick Tips may be reprinted, with credit to the submitter, in other Ancestry publications, so if you do not want your tip included in a publication other than the Ancestry Daily News and Ancestry Weekly Digest, please state so clearly in your message.

Copyright 2004, MyFamily.com