Independent Research Project
ChMs 7th Grade
Personal Heritage Project
Portfolio Directions
Congratulations! You are about to become an author. You are about to write a very
important book. In this project, you will conduct research from primary and secondary sources,
cite your sources, be creative, and acquaint yourself with your own personal heritage.
History is not always what it appears to be. Often we forget that history is not only the
distant past, but also the immediate past. Often we forget that history is not only about people
we do not know. No history book, biography, or historical novel ever tells the complete story.
Most of the time textbooks never touch on the history of those people that are in our own past,
our families. Even though the names of our relatives may not appear in books, these ancestors
play a vital role in our past, our present, and our future. Everyone has a story to tell .
The project’s minimum requirements
I. Cover Sheet
This is the opening page of your project; this is not the outside cover.
Information on the cover sheet:
 Title of the project
 Your name
 Due date
 Class period
II. Ancestor Chart
This is the page that looks like a sentence diagram. It is like a map of who’s who in your family.
 The information on this page must be completed in pencil.
 Three generations are required—you, your parents, and your grandparents.
 You are number one on the chart. All males are even numbers on the chart;
females are the odd number. For example, your father is number two and your
mother number three.
 Use full names—first, middle, last—maiden names for all married females.
 Complete dates should be used whenever possible. You can estimate a date if
you do not know a date exactly. When you use an estimated date, use the
abbreviation c before the date, which stands for circa (about the time of).
 If there is information you cannot locate, leave the space blank (do not use
question marks or “I don’t know” in the space.
 You should also fill out the information in the upper left hand corner of the page.
 If you can complete your chart further than the required generation, you should
certainly do this. Be sure to number each chart.
1
Independent Research Project
ChMs 7th Grade
III. Data Sheets (Two)
These are the information sheets about your family members. You are required to do one
for yourself and one for your parents or other relatives. Do not fill out one for your
interviewee.
 You may do more than the two required.
 The sheets should be completed in ink or typed.
 Label the sheet by including the chart number and the person number in the upper
right hand corner. For example, your data sheet would be labeled as chart one,
person one. If you only complete one chart, the chart number on all of the data
sheets will be one. These labels serve as an index to locate people on the
ancestor charts.
 Use the same categories on all of the data sheet charts whether or not you have
all the information to complete the categories on each person.
 The data sheets should include basic information. You will see an example in the
PowerPoint presentation, but you may add other categories
 Optional: You may complete data sheets for people not on your charts.
IV. Interview
You will conduct an interview on a family member (parent or grandparent) using the
questions provided. Questions and answers will need to be typed or handwritten.
V. Power point
You will prepare a power point comparing your life to the life of the person interviewed for
IV. Each slide will show the comparison of past and present
 Name of person interviewed, birth, where
 Childhood memory
 Childhood games, toys, or favorite pastime
 Family traditions
 Elementary school/Middle school
 Fads of the time—hair, clothes, music, heroes, movies, etc.
 World events
 Most valuable lesson
 Remembered for
VI. Time log
This is a record of the time you spend working on the project. Keep it with your work and
record the starting and ending times each time you work.
VII. Bibliography
This is the list of all of the sources you used in your project. It should include the people
you interviewed, the letters you wrote, the answers you received, the books you used, the
census records you accessed, the newspaper articles you found, the Internet sites you used,
etc.
2
Independent Research Project
ChMs 7th Grade
If only the minimum requirements are met, the grade for accuracy can be no higher than
a “C” regardless of its presentation. In order for the grade to be higher, you must add
optional material.
Optional areas
I. Documents and photographs
Please use copies of all documents and photographs. Do not use originals.
Secure all copies of pictures and photos to the page (or insert them as images into your
word document). Identify the pictures with names and indicate the relationship of those pictured
to you. Include the date, location, and the occasion of the picture if possible.
Below are some suggestions of copies of things you might include. You are not limited to these,
however. Use your own creativity.
 pictures
 newspaper articles
 birth certificates
 school papers
 awards
 report cards
 service records
 letters/cards
 obituaries
II. Mementos and miscellaneous material
 table of contents
 interviews with family members
 lists of family customs, traditions, or/and superstitions
 drawings or pictures of things in style during the lifetime of a family member (identify who, when)
 maps of where family members live/lived
 the origin of family names
 address list of family members
 timeline
 autographs
 family crest, either existing or of your creation
 family stories
 the family’s favorites or pet peeves
 a list of the family ” ten commandments”
 brag pages
 a VIP list
 advice from family members
 family wishes, lies, and dreams
 favorite recipes
 essays about a special memory
Dedication page
It is always nice to recognize special people who helped you with your project or who mean a
great deal to you. Include this page if you are choosing to do optional material.
3
Independent Research Project
ChMs 7th Grade
Copyright notice (optional)
What you will complete is a very special history book. A copyright protects your work and gives
you the exclusive right to print or publish your work. Your work will be copyrighted when you complete
it. Indicate the copyright on the back of the title page. It should include the word “copyright,” the
copyright symbol, the year the work was completed, and your name.
Problems and concerns
If you encounter difficulties completing any part of the assignment, let the teacher know
immediately. You may need to make an appointment with the teacher to discuss any problems with the
assignment. Waiting until the due date (or the week before) to let the teacher know you have a
problem is unacceptable and will not excuse you from the assignment.
Presentation
Your portfolio will not be shared with the group or with other faculty members without your
permission. You may choose to share it with others before or after it is graded, but while it is in the
teacher’s possession, it will remain confidential.
Presentation relates to the physical appearance of the project. Present the project in a binder,
scrapbook, or folder. Note: The type of folder with a plastic slide is unacceptable.
Due date
All work on this project must be completed by ______________________. You will have
computer time in class to complete your project.
Grading
You will receive rubrics before your project is due. This will allow you to give your project a final
check before presenting it for grading. No marks will be made on your work. All comments by the
teacher and your final grade will appear only on your rubrics.
Good luck on your work and adventure into the past. I look forward to getting to know you and your
family.
Many thanks in advance for all the hard work you and your family will do on this project.
Some Internet resources
http://www.familysearch.org
www.ellisisland.org
www.kbyu.org/ancestors
www.ancestry.com
www.genforum.genealogy.com
www.genealogy.com
www.cyndislist.com
Be sure to cite all sources used. This site will help you cite Internet sites, periodicals, and books
correctly.
http://www.landmark-project.com/citation_machine/index.php
4
Independent Research Project
ChMs 7th Grade
5