Heritage Project
HISTORY RESEARCH PROJECT:
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Interview a family member (mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.). Try to
obtain as many details as possible about your family’s immigration to America. You may
wish to videotape your interview, or take notes and attach a current photo of you and the
person you are interviewing. To help focus your research, heritage questions have been
provided. However, you may also wish to add your own.
Compile your notes and research into a written report. Use your answers from the sheet
of questions to write your report.
Use the written report to create your Oral History Presentation.
Project Due Date: Thursday, December 8th
Presentations: December 8-9th (If possible, dress in native costumes)
Multi-cultural Luncheon: Thursday, December 8th
THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS (select an option AND turn in a written report)
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Written Report (Required): Using your research information, write a 5 paragraph report
on 3 of your favorite discoveries about your heritage, include an introduction and
conclusion. Next, select option 1 or 2 to bring your words to visual life.
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Option 1 – create a poster that represents your ancestor’s immigration experience (Ellis
Island documents, ocean liner tickets, letter, diaries, postcards, family photos, artifacts
from their homeland, locks of hair, small family keepsakes, advertisements, etc.) Make
sure your poster represents the era of immigration or your ancestor’s country of origin.
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Option 2 - Create a suitcase out of construction paper or a box and decorate the outside
to indicate what country your relative(s) are from. Make a nametag for your suitcase,
just like a baggage tag. The tag needs the students name and address. Attach the report
to the inside of the suitcase. You need to also include memorabilia’s, such as, photos,
articles, postcards, letters, maps, etc.
ORAL HISTORY PRESENTATION (2-4 minutes):
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Be prepared to give an oral presentation about your family traditions and heritage based
on your written report.
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If possible, dress in the native costume that represents your ancestor’s country of
origin.
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Present your heritage suitcase or poster project. You may use your project to guide the
delivery of your oral presentation.
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Use any other props or visual that will enhance your presentation (maps, pictures,
drawings, historical documents, etc.)
Suggestions for Interview Questions
These questions are only suggestions. You may ask other questions that are appropriate when
conducting your interview.
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Who did you interview?
Where in the world did your family come from?
Which ancestors immigrated to America? How old was he/she/them?
When did they immigrate and why?
How did they travel to America and what was their port of entry?
How did they survive when they arrived? How did they find employment, housing, etc.?
Did they speak English when they arrived? If not, how did they learn to speak the
language?
8. What family traditions do you still follow that have been passed down in your family?
9. Is there any special story about you, or your relatives, coming to America that you would
like to share?
10. Is your daily life different in America than in the country you immigrated from? If so,
how?
11. Is there any special food or recipe that you got from your ancestors or family?
12. Any family artifact or heirloom?
13. Any interesting family stories?
Self-check List for Heritage Report/Project - Due on December 8th
o Written Report
o Poster/Suitcase
o Dressed in native clothing (optional, but highly recommend)
Remember, this is a supposed to be a fun, interactive,
and informative project about your heritage. Be creative!