Unlocking the Past: Engaging Teens in Genealogy

Genealogy can be a fascinating and rewarding pursuit. However, getting teens interested in genealogy can be challenging in an age dominated by technology and fast-paced entertainment. Here are some creative strategies to engage teens in uncovering their family's past.

1. Technology

Teens are digital natives, so leveraging technology can effectively spark their interest in genealogy.

• Genealogy Apps: Encourage the use of user-friendly genealogy apps like Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch. These apps make it easy to create family trees, search historical records, and connect with distant relatives.
• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are great for sharing genealogy-related content. Teens can document their research journey, share exciting discoveries, and connect with others who share their interests.

2. Storytelling

Everyone loves a good story, and genealogy is full of them.

• Family Stories: Encourage teens to interview older family members and record their stories.
• Creative Writing: Suggest they write short stories or journal entries from the perspective of their ancestors. This can help them understand historical contexts and develop empathy for the lives of their forebears.
• Oral History: Midwest Genealogy Center’s “Tell Me a Story” program, where teens can interview others and save their stories so the public can access those family histories.

3. Interactive Projects

Hands-on activities can make genealogy more tangible and exciting.

• Family Tree Art Projects: Teens can create artistic representations of their family trees using scrapbooking materials and digital design tools.
• Genealogy Scrapbook: Encourage them to compile photos, documents, and mementos into a scrapbook.

4. History

Connecting genealogy to broader historical events can provide context and make it more interesting.

• Historical Context: Help teens understand how major historical events affected their ancestors. Some examples include discussions about ancestors and the Great Depression, wars, and natural disasters such as the Dust Bowl.
• Field Trips: Visiting historical sites, local museums, or ancestral homelands can be a powerful way to make history tangible.

5. Gamify the Experience

Turning genealogy into a game can make it more fun and engaging.

• Genealogy Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where teens find specific documents, photos, or information about their ancestors.
• Genealogy Challenges: Set challenges like "Find the oldest relative's photo" or "Discover a relative who was in a historical event." This adds a competitive element that can be motivating.

6. Modern Connections

Help teens see how their family's history is part of a larger narrative.

• DNA Testing: Companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA offer DNA testing that can reveal genetic connections and ethnic backgrounds.
• Cultural Connections: Highlight how family traditions, customs, and personality traits have been passed down through generations.

7. Make It Social

Engaging with peers can make genealogy more appealing.

• Genealogy Clubs: Encourage the formation of genealogy clubs at school or within the community.
• Family Reunions: Plan family reunions or gatherings to share family history. Teens can present their findings.

By leveraging technology and incorporating storytelling, interactive projects, history, gamification, modern connections, and socialization, you can help teens unlock the fascinating world of their family's past.

Sheri V.
Midwest Genealogy Center