The
primary object of this assignment is to show our students how their own
family’s history is an integral part of our study of
Try
to remember as much information about your relatives as you can. Think
about
their names, places and dates of birth and/or death, hometowns. Write
down this
information and start to organize it on a family tree chart. Use pencil
– you
may have to change dates, spellings, etc.
Look
at sources in your home. Things like letters, bibles, certificates,
newspaper
clippings, can all be very helpful. Also, look for photographs and
other items
(dolls, old farm tools, clothing, jewelry, war medals, certificates,
and other
personal items passed down through generations).
Interview
your relatives. Write down or record their memories. Take notes
on who was born when, who was related to whom, important dates
and
places, hometowns and villages, etc. See if someone else has already
found the
information, it could save you a lot of work.
Now
look at the charts you have already compiled. What is missing?
Don’t go
aimlessly looking for all the last names you can think of in your
family.
Choose one family line and start with that. Find one side of the family
first
(Mom or Dad). Start with generations closest to you and work your way
back in
time.
There
are many ways to search for information about your ancestors. You can
search
birth and death records, marriage records, property deeds, and census
information. You can start by seeing if a family history has been
written. You
might find this on various internet sites, helpful sites include the
Other
sites include:
www.familysearch.org
www.ancestry.com www.ellisislandrecords.org
www.genealogy.org www.nara.gov
www.cyndislist.com
Step 6: Organize and Create your Family
Tree Project Notebook
Listed
are the requirements for the Family Tree Notebook. Because some family
circumstances are unique, the content for each book may be different.
If you
have any questions about how to include something, please ask Mr.
Manaker.
Notebook (10 points)
The
notebook should be done in a 3 ring binder (1/2” to 1”) and
should have a decorative
Notebook Cover – Cover should be neatly done and creative.
Include
the project rubric, and a title page with your name and date. Also
include a
table of contents, with all of the requirements listed below. All pages
should
be numbered and typed, or written in pen, on unlined paper.
Personal background (10 points)
Include
a picture or pictures of yourself. Include as many as you can, from
different
periods of your life. Include a copy of
your birth certificate too.
Write
a short, one paragraph biographical summary of yourself. Describe your
immediate family, where and when you were born, and other important
facts about
yourself.
Shield/Coat of Arms (10 points)
Divided
into 4 sections- include your favorite things (movies, TV, music,
sports,
etc.), friends and important people in your life, life accomplishments
(in
school and out), and your goals for the future (career, life goals,
etc.)
Family Origins (10 points)
Find
out the national origins of your family, if possible (i.e.,
Family Tree (30 points)
This
is the family tree itself. Trace your roots back as far as you can. Use
a
family tree chart to show your family. Try to trace your roots back to
your
Great, Great Grandparents on each side of your family. Include birth
and death
years for the people in your tree if possible.
Paternal Side (10 points)
In
this section, show some of the history of your father’s side of
the family. Use
a paragraph summary to tell about the family names and people
throughout
history, especially if any have been involved in historical events
(wars,
immigration to
Maternal Side (10 points)
In
this section, show some of the history of your mother’s side of
the family. See
Paternal Side section suggestions listed above.
Summary (10 points)
Picture of your family and a written
summary - “What
I learned from my family history project”. Include any interesting facts you may
have learned, historical events
your family has been a part of, etc.
NAME
DATE
Notebook (10 points)
Decorative Notebook Cover
(3)
Type/Pen on Unlined paper
(2)
Title Page (2)
Table of Contents and all
pages numbered (3)
Personal background
(10 points)
Picture or pictures of yourself ,
birth certificate (5)
Biographical summary of
yourself (5)
Shield/Coat of Arms
(10 points)
4 sections- Favorites,
People, Accomplishments, Goals (6)
Colors, neatness (4)
Family Origins (10
points)
Summary paragraph (5)
Maps (5)
Family Tree (30
points)
Chart showed extensive
research and effort (30)
Chart showed adequate
research and effort (20)
Chart showed incomplete
research and effort (10)
Paternal Side (10
points)
Summary (5)
Pictures, artifacts (5)
Maternal Side (10
points)
Summary (5)
Pictures, artifacts (5)
Summary (10 points)
Family picture (5)
Summary article (5)
Total Points and
Final Grade (100)