Homework: Family Tree

Each year I have students do some family tree research.  Before I explain the project, let me reiterate what I tell students about the family tree project.  I completely understand why different people refuse to work on the family tree project.  Some of us are [or were] estranged from family members, some are adopted, some recently lost family members so talking about them is too difficult, and some don't want anything to do with one parent [or either of them].  I do understand.  If you would like to do an alternative project (researching the family tree of a teacher, scientist, or athlete) you can talk to me and we may be able to set something up.

I do the project for different reasons:

• We learn communication skills
• We learn history
• We learn research methodology
• We learn geography
• We are connected with our past
• We put historical events into the context of where our family was at the time.
• We get a better understanding of who we are, where we come from, and where we might be going.

We begin with two forms -- I will give you one Ancestry Chart and one Family Group Sheet.  The Ancestry Chart is a quick reference guide for you and every direct ancestor through your great-grandparents.  Begin by placing your name on the left (single) person and then continue by adding your parents in the next level (father on top and mother on the bottom).

Click either of these to print another copy:

My suggestions [and they vary for each situation] are to do the following:

1. Enter as much information as possible yourself -- in pencil is best.  
2. When you have entered as much as you [think you] know, ask each parent to look over your work.
3. When each parent is finished with the page, ask all grandparents.
4. If you are blessed to have great grandparents, definitely ask them for as much information as possible.  
5. Ask everybody that you interview:
1. the names of their parents
2. the name of their grandparents
3. if they remember their great-grandparents names -- or where they came from.  
4. middle names of family members
5. where they got their name (it may be a grandmothers name, an uncles name, etc.)
6. names of their aunts and uncles
7. when they came to Jellico... or Tennessee... or the United States... or wherever.
8. if they have pictures of their parents, grandparents or great grandparents
1. (If so, I recommend taking a picture of the picture)

I'm not grading you on how much you find -- just on how much you TRY.  

Some people have professional artists draw up their family trees.

Your homework is to research four generations of your family tree.  I will provide you with two different charts for keeping track of data, but if you would like another copy you can click on one of the small thumbnails to download one.

I give this assignment to help you understand where you come from, to put historical era's in context, and to help you organize the information you [and your family] know -- or think you know.

Please know that I understand that this is a difficult [sometimes impossible] project for some people.  Feel free to come to me if you have a question about the assignment.

Here's an online family tree maker.  It's simple (doesn't ask for dates or places) but it might help get you started.  http://kids.familytreemagazine.com/kids/familytree.pdf

Discuss Family Tree Research and Answer the Following Questions:

• Were any of the people that you interviewed uncomfortable talking about their family?
• What was the most surprising thing you discovered in your research?
• What did you think about the project?
• How could we have made the project better?
• Is there anything you would like to know about your family tree -- or would you like help finding more information?
• Use the provided map(s) to plot points where your family has lived.

Click to download PDF