Genealogy Tips, Tricks and Ideas For Your Next Family Reunion
The genealogy and history of a family can be a very important part of the family reunion. Whether it is a simple family tree related only to the generations of the family which are represented at the reunion or a complete history of the whole family dating back to the early times, it can be a multi-faceted add on and benefit to the complete family reunion experience.
A very unique gift idea is a general family tree, usually only inclusive of three or four generations for the different families that have combined to form the gathering at the family reunion. While this will often consider one paternal/maternal source and branch out from there to include specifics for the family on hand, it can include substantially more information as well.
A family reunion is usually centered on the offspring of one general set of grandparents or occasionally great-grandparents. By using them as the top of the tree, it can easily be branched out and include all of the family members who will be in attendance at the family reunion. This also makes a nice remembrance to give to the people that are present.
The genealogy tree is called that because it resembles a tree. The paternal group is at the top of the tree. It then branches out to include their children. These will further branch out to include their spouses if they have them, and any children that they have conceived. This process is continued until even the youngest participants of the family reunion are represented on the genealogical record. While it is obvious how this will grow exponentially and easily expand beyond the boundaries of a single page, it can still be within reason to complete for the family reunion.
The research for this group can usually be accomplished mostly by phone. If certain dates or events are not known by any direct members of the family, facts can usually be found in county clerks offices in the county of record for the given event, such as a birth certificate, death certificate or even a marriage certificate.
Depending who is completing the chart, they will likely have a good idea of exactly who is in the first couple of groups. A little bit of time on the phone and a few searches into records can easily complete the process. While it is often viewed by people as a positive thing, care should be taken to let everyone who will be on the family tree know what you are doing. There is always the rare occasion when somebody will not want to be included for whatever reason.
In some instances, a complete volume or tome will be created to include more detailed information. Many people and even families have started projects like this for a hobby which quickly grew beyond their expectations. If this is the case for anyone in the family at the reunion, the family reunion can be a good prospect for finding interested members to contribute material, or in some instances to purchase copies of the completed work. Whether the genealogy and the family tree is a single page reflecting only the group on hand at the family reunion, or a massive volume that goes back to generations throughout history, this can be a good remembrance and keepsake for a family reunion.