Family History Project
The goal of this project is to help you learn how to research and find
the story or stories of your family. The focus is not on trying to find
the most ancestors but on properly documenting the individuals in
your family and learning more about their lives.
1. Start by filling out a pedigree or family tree of what you know.
The forms are on the wiki. It’s okay to just do one side of the family or
one family line. If someone else has already done this, your project
will be about trying to add new information to what is already known.
a. You will be in good shape if you can get back to relatives born
before 1940.
b. If you don’t know details, write down the best guess about
birth dates and places your relatives lived.
2. Interview relatives – figure out what you want to know and
whom you can ask. If your grandparents or great-grandparents are
deceased, who could tell you about them? Interview your parents
about their parents and siblings or your grandparents about their
parents and siblings. You must do at least one interview of 20
questions.
a. There is a list of 50 questions to give you ideas on the wiki
b. You must include at least 1 interview. It can be over the
phone or by email if your relatives aren’t nearby.
3. Find records! There is no proof that you’re researching the right
people if you have no records. Keep track of your searches using
the Research log or make your own form but keep track of where
you looked even if you find nothing! That way you won’t duplicate your
efforts.
a. You should have at least 10 new records
b. I have several paid subscriptions. If you find something on
Mocavo, Genealogy Bank, or Fold3 and can’t access it, let me
know and I will access it for you.
4. As you find where your ancestors lived, consider making a google
map to trace their migration.
5. Research your surname – see wiki for site. Write up a summary of
your findings.
6. Find some pictures (Optional but highly encouraged) – They don’t
have to be of the people. Pictures of where they lived, gravestones,
objects they owned (family heirlooms), etc.
7. Put it together in a portfolio of some sort. If it is online, you will
need to schedule a time to meet with me and go over what you’ve
found.
Check out my blog at mymaineancestry.blogspot.com for ideas!
Checklist:
1. Pedigree or Family Tree Chart
2. Interview (at least 1, at least 20 questions)
3. Research log – list of places you looked for info
4. 10 new records
5. Google map (optional)
6. Summary of surname research
7. Pictures (optional)
8. Nicely presented in a portfolio
DEADLINES:
May 15 - Completed Pedigree or Family Tree Chart, Surname research
done, Interview subject or subjects and questions identified – Show
work to Ms. Carter so she can give you a grade on progress
May 22 – Progress check in with Ms. Carter. Should show some
documents, photos, interview or other progress toward your final
project
June 5 – All work completed and handed in to Ms. Carter
No project will be accepted after June 10th. Seven points a day
(not per class) deducted for projects turned in after June 5th.