Family History Day

Genealogy is one of the nation's most popular hobbies, with thousands upon thousands of researchers digging into archives, databases and lofts, hoping to piece together the family's story. The New York Public Library is one of the top destinations for genealogists in New York, and this June we are excited to celebrate our first Family History Day.

History of Family History Day

Captain of the Sea, Pilgrim, an orphan, missionary minister, fanatic (alleged), Revolutionary War soldier, Confederate sympathizer, probation officer, teacher member, accused witch… and that's just on my father's side! The Greeks and Romans had imperfect Olympians to help them understand the world around them, but my grandmother gave me heroes and villains in my family. Hearing about the great grandpa x 3 who left his family just to (supposedly) start a new family elsewhere makes me feel good - nothing I could do would be worse than that! Thankfully, there are also a lot of ancestors that inspire me to try a little harder, to be a little better. Knowing about the generations before us gives us a powerful sense of security and belonging that we shouldn't underestimate.

However, in part due to our busy lives and the fact that families have become more geographically distant, we are missing out on opportunities for our children to internalize these things the way they do. We did - around the table in ceremonial slow-motion of regular Sunday dinners, eavesdropping on the front porch with cousins, and occasional birthday/holiday/event gatherings.

Thank goodness June 14 has been designated as Family History Day! People all over the country will introduce children to their history and give them a chance to be part of something bigger.

Family history brings the past back to life and makes it relevant in a way that classrooms in schools cannot. As young people begin researching their origins, they become detectives, treasure hunters and historians tasked with finding their "missing" family members. Along the way, they learn about the sacrifice, victory, determination, and quiet existence of the people who made them what they are today.

Knowing our ancestors helps us keep things in perspective: Every family has someone who does good, does bad, lived through unimaginable tragedies, fought on the left, sacrificed, fought competition and success. We've put together some ideas for celebrating Family History Day with your kids. Whether your family is crafty, digital-minded, discovery-oriented, or a combination of the three, you'll find something to start your extended family rediscovery. Enjoy!

How to celebrate Family History Day

• Photo album of people who love me

Create a special album for kids with family members they don't see often - grandparents, godparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Try to use close-up shots of their faces so your child feels more familiar with them during visits. Keep the album near your bedtime story point so you can say good night to everyone right before the lights go out.

• Create a visual family tree

Young people will love to have their names included in this project. Collect the pictures as far as you can, copy them and let your child crop them. Let your child design the tree, but help your child arrange the pictures. As you move on, talk about the people in the different family units and explain who they are in relation to you or your child. Include your own pictures so you all can see who you are and how each of you fits into the extended family.

• Family Directory

Ask your child to take pictures of my heirlooms/heirlooms and create a scrapbook explaining the history of each item and the special memories associated with it. Take it a step further and include copies of any photos you may have of people who once belonged to that category. If you're super lucky, you might stumble across a photo of the person and thing together!

• Meaning of place

Get a US, State or local map and label the locations where your loved one lives. Get creative by having a loved one send postcards from their town or state and put them on the map.

• Unusual family visit

Visit deceased loved ones at their cemeteries and tell your children about them. Discuss the stonework or epitaph artwork you see and explain how people relate to it. Cemeteries are usually cute and peaceful places. By visiting ancestral graves, your child will understand the idea that families are connected through memories. It will also suggest to them that when they experience death in the future, they will still be connected to the people they love.

• Create your autobiography

Let your child take pictures of the room, the house, the school, the sports field, friends, pets, teddy bears - anyone, anything, and anywhere they feel meaningful in their lives. Give each picture a page in the scrapbook and encourage your child to write about each image. Alternatively, your child can illustrate pictures with art supplies and dictate what you should write.