Family History

One of the categories for the AHE History Fair is called Family History. This is a relatively new category which was only added a couple of years ago. For the first time one of my kids is doing a family history project, on my grandfather.

While the topic is likely to be only really interesting to those actually related to the subject, it provides a great opportunity for us to study and learn more about some of our own family history. In reality the biggest reason I keep signing my kids up year after year to the history fair is so that they (and I) have the inspiration to pursue a project and really dig more deeply into a historical topic. Otherwise I personally find it’s quite easy to let things slide and not really do a topic justice. For me it’s mainly about the process of learning, but for the kids it has the added excitement of getting to display their work to their peers, and even dressing up! Having to present your knowledge to an audience really does help keep everyone on task!

My grandfather passed away before any of my children were born, so it has been lovely to watch an old video of him with them and allow them to hear some of his most told stories. We’ve been looking at old newspaper articles featuring him and finding out details of his life. It really is an amazing way to introduce kids to their family members who are no longer here, giving them a connection to their past and passing on some family history!