Family Tree Project
Your assignment is to do research about your genealogy and to use it to create a
“family tree”. Remember this must not have the actual shape of a tree, use your
creativity to find an amazing way to present it. Below is a list of suggestions and
requirements to guide you in your search.
* Required info is
1) Full Name
2) Years of Birth and Death
3) Place of Birth
1.
In order to start your research, you should begin with yourself. Once you
have all of that information recorded, you can move onto your parents and
siblings. The facts that they give you can help you to expand from there into
your extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws,
nieces/nephews). You are only required to go back 4 generations, or to your
great-grandparents, including all of the relatives (aunts, uncles, and cousins)
that come between. Anything else will be considered extra effort and may
earn you extra credit. The information that you are looking for would include:
a. Full Names (First and Last)
b. Year/Date of Birth – Year/Date of Death
c. Country of Birth
d. Marriage(s)
e. Children
2.
Your home can be a good starting point for most people who are
interested in understanding the origins of their family. Items of genealogical
interest or value that can be found in the home include:
a. Photographs
b. Documents (letters and newspaper clippings)
e. Heirlooms, especially those passed down through generations
3.
Outside the home, one can tap a vast array of government and religious
records:
a. Birth certificates
b. Marriage licenses
c. Death certificates
d. Census records
4.
You must create a neat, organized visual presentation of your family tree.
You should include as much of the required information as possible,
though I do understand that the farther back you go, the harder it is to find
some specifics.
6. Writing/Projects—You must choose any four of the eight provided
writing/projects. Be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully so that
you can receive full credit. All writings need to be a minimum of three
paragraphs (approximately 15+ sentences), typed, Times-New Roman font,
and double spaced. The finished assignments must somehow be included
in, on or with your family tree (in a special binder/folder, etc.).
A. Anecdote: Write down a story that has been passed down through
your family about a person, an object, or an event. There should
be a clear beginning, middle, and end to the story, possibly with
an introduction about when or how you first heard it. Be sure to
include all of the features that need to be in a story (characters,
setting, exposition, climax, etc.).
B. Family Recipe: Include a copy of a recipe that has been passed
down through at least two generations, and then explain why it is
important, and when/why the family usually makes it. This should
be a full explanation of the significance of the recipe, as well as
the history behind it. You could even cook the recipe and bring it
in for possible extra credit!
C. Holiday Tradition: Describe a holiday or family tradition that is
unique to your family. Examples could include a game played on
a holiday, a place that you always go to, a special gift given on a
birthday, etc. Include a description of how it started, how often it
occurs, who participates in it, and why it is important to you.
D.
Portrait: Include a picture (no originals please) of one or more
people from your family. The essay should be a short biography
of this person, who they are in relation to you, and why they have
had an influence on your life. You don’t have to meet someone in
order for them to have importance!
E.
Coat of Arms: It may either be a copy of the official one
(searches available online) from one of the main branches of your
family or you can use samples to create your own. Be aware that
ever shape, symbol, and colour use has a special significance.
The essay should include the meaning of the symbols and how
your family came to get its coat of arms.
F.
Family song: Is there a song that is special to the members of
your family, maybe sang at special gatherings or one that recalls
a specific memory? Include the lyrics of the song, a brief
description of its history/creation, and an explanation of its
significance to you.
G.
Family poem: Maybe there is a poem that somehow connects to
your family, either written originally by one of them or with a
topic/theme that relates. In this case, the essay should be similar
to the song option, with a brief description of its history/creation,
and an explanation of its significance to you. Another possibility is
to create a poem of at least 4 stanzas (use quatrains with at least
4 lines per stanza) about your family. If you choose this option,
make sure to include a paragraph explaining its meaning.
H.
Heirloom: Some families have an object or collection of things
that are so important, they have been passed down through the
generations, such as a book, blanket, medal/award, etc. Be sure
to include a picture of the heirloom, along with what it is, who it
came from, who it has been passed to, and why it is important.
I.
Other: Every family is different in the ways in which they interact
and what they feel is important. It is more than possible that you
have something to share that s not on this list. If you have another
idea, please see me to see if it would qualify! If it does, I will be
more than happy to let you use it as one of your choices!
Criteria
Excellent
5 pts.
Good
4 pts.
Fair
3 pts.
Use of time
class
Use time well
on getting
project done.
Use time
poorly and got
distracted by
others.
Visual impact
Project is
exceptionally
attractive on
terms of
colour and
neatness.
The overall
appearance of
the family tree
Use time well
and usually
focused on
getting the
project done.
Poster is
attractive,
though it might
be a little bit
messy.
The poster is
poorly
designed and
lacks
neatness.
Poster is not
attractive at
all.
The overall
appearance of
the family tree
The family
tree is
relatively
The family tree
is difficult to
read.
Readability
Not done or
incomplete
1 pt.
Did not work
at all or was
not able to
finish in class.
Pictures
Content
Due date
Essay
is pleasing
and easy to
read.
Every family
member is
represented
with a picture.
is somewhat
pleasing and
easy to read.
Most of the
members of
the family are
represented
with pictures.
readable.
Only some of
the members
of the family
are
represented
with pictures.
Family tree has Family tree has Family tree has
at least 4
at least 4
less than 4
generations. All generations
generations.
generations
Some
Some
are labelled
generations
generations
with birth
are labelled
are labelled
dates, first and with birth
with birth
last names.
dates, first and dates, first and
last names.
last names.
On time
No pictures of
the family are
present.
Meets all the
requirements.
Does not meet
the
requirements.
Meets the
requirements
but is less than
3 paragraphs
Meets only
some of the
requirements
and is less
than 3
paragraphs.
Family tree has
less than 4
generations.
No generations
are labelled.
Not in time
Due date: Wednesday, January 13. Essay must be printed this time.