1 . Genealogy (the study of family history) is a popular hobby in the US and around the world. Finding out about your close relatives as well as your ancestors can help you learn more about your cultural background. 1 Here’s how you can get started.
Make a family tree.
One fun way to begin is by making a family tree. 2 On a large piece of paper, write the names of the people in your immediate family (your parents and siblings) across the bottom. With help from a parent or other relative, fill in additional family members and draw lines to show how they connected, including grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. 3
Plan a family reunion.
4 Consider asking a parent or grandparent if they could help you plan a family reunion. Discuss a convenient location for everyone, whether it’s at someone’s home, a hotel or restaurant, or a local park. If it’s not possible to have a reunion in person, you could plan a time for your relatives to join a video call. This could be a great opportunity to ask people to show photos, add to your family tree, or share their favorite traditions.
5
Last names, also called surnames, are one way families maybe linked across generations. When you look at your family tree, you may see a few common last names. These surnames can give you clues about your family’s history. Some last names are related to jobs people may have held (for example, the name Smith was originally used by blacksmiths), while others might be related to where a family lived. You can find out more about surnames on lots of websites.
| A．Research names. |
| B．Explore where your family once lived. |
| C．This is a chart that lists people you’re related to. |
| D．Learning more about your relatives’ past can be fun and rewarding. |
| E．Keep adding names as far back as you or your relatives can remember. |
| F．You can also feel closer to your family, and strengthen your sense of identity. |
| G．One of the best ways to celebrate your family history is to get together with your relatives. |
