Since being passed by Congress in 2001, Family History Month as been observed annually during the month of October. The month now celebrates a great deal of promotion and recognition—from community events to lectures and workshops held by historians and funeral service professionals, there are plenty of ways to get out and get inspired.
If you don’t have time to head out to a Family History Month event, there are plenty of ways to acknowledge the holiday at home by working on your own family story. Give yourself a whole Saturday at the library or Family History Center, ask a relative your burning questions, put some photos in an album, or tell your state representative how much you appreciate your public library’s genealogy resources.
You can get started by following these 14 suggestions for genealogy research projects you can do on your lunch hour. Explore all the resources Family Tree Magazine has to offer below!
Family History Projects
Here are a few more ways to observe Family History Month with your family. Click the links below for tips and suggestions:
- Get your kids or grandkids excited about Family History Month with these genealogy activities for all ages.
- Check out one of our favorite resources, the 25 Best Genealogy Websites for Beginners
- Encourage children to ask older relatives about their family history by following these tips.
- Leave a family history legacy by tackling one of these 16 projects for passing on family traditions and stories.
- Honor an ancestor’s memory by creating an online memorial.
- Learn about (and prepare) a favorite family recipe. Here’s the information you’ll want to find out about the dish.
Genealogy Websites
Best Books for Beginners
![]() | Summer 2017 Discover Your Roots Digital Edition | In the Summer 2017 Discover Your Roots digital edition, Family Tree Magazine's genealogy experts help you find the best old records, genealogy websites and DNA tests for starting your ancestry and family history research. |
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![]() | Family Tree Memory Keeper | From the editors of Family Tree Magazine, this workbook makes it easy to record and organize your family history. |
![]() | Googling Your Genealogy | Google is perhaps the most powerful weapon in the genealogist's toolbox. Prepare to become a web wizard with this hour-long webinar. |
![]() | Story of My Life | Save your life story for family and future generations of relatives. This workbook’s prompts help you record and share your most memorable moments, preserving your life and times for years to come. |