The Pinterest Phenomenon

Have you been sucked into the Pinterest phenomenon yet? What is Pinterest? It is a virtual pinboard and it is quite the social networking site at the moment. I have looked at it and I'll admit it is fun to see ideas that my mind can't even begin to put together. To say that I am creatively challenged is a huge understatement! However, I do enjoy seeing other people's ideas. On that note, I wondered if there was anything out there having to do with family history and genealogy. Well, that was a dumb question! I searched on both family history and genealogy and came up with tons of stuff! There were ideas for your own family history, pictures of celebs in high school (do we really care?), and lots of pointers to work on your own family! I was pleasantly surprised. Check it out yourself at Pinterest.com. In the top left hand corner, there is a search bar. Type in family history or genealogy and see what you get! Actually, I have typed in all sorts of family history and genealogy keywords and I am amazed! I think I will create a family history board! My kids might even be tempted to peak! They are both very visual and this might just be the ticket for them! Maybe one day they will see this and say "I know that girl!" That's my mom!

Rayanne circa. 1971!

Another favorite of mine is James Tanner's posts on FamilySearch.org/techtips. I enjoy his insightful remarks. He has even tackled the Pinterest world! Read his post about Pinterest here.

Family History Activities for Children, Ages 3-11

When someone says the words "genealogy" or "family history," is this what you think of?

Interesting for grownups, but not too inspiring for children!

There are family history activities that can be done with children. In the next few days, I will point you to some ideas. These ideas will give you ideas of your own that you can try with your children and then pass on to others. That is the beauty of sharing! These ideas are from FamilySearch. They should get you started. Remember that anything will work with this age group as long as it is short and fun! Click here to check them out!

This teddy bear chart would look cute on a little one's wall. That's a start in family history!

This is available as a free download from http://www.kidsturncentral.com/clipart/genbears/teddygentree1let.gif

Kid's love to remember things about themselves! How about a scrapbook of their school pictures? Wouldn't these pictures make a cute collection?

Rayanne, Kindergarten

Rayanne, 1st Grade

Rayanne, 2nd Grade

Rayanne, 3rd Grade

What better fun to have with your kids during the summer?

More Than Just Names on a Piece of Paper!

Photo Credit: Rayanne Melick Personal Collection

My kids (ages 22 and 25) think that I spend WAY too much time on family history. I love to take video and label pictures for posterity! Of course, I try to include them, but let's just say that they are less than enthusiastic! Although, there was this one time when my son needed a cool family story for his storytelling class. I came through big time for him! A family story complete with dynamite and mangled body parts! It's a sad story, really, but it is part of my family. In the last few years, I have been able to gather and piece together pictures of this family that was forever changed by a few sticks of dynamite, false bravado, and some poor choices. When I look at those pictures, I can imagine being in the mom's shoes and how hard this time must have been for their family. I have lost a child so I know how it hurts! This family lost one child and another one was maimed for life. As I explain this to my kids, I don't think it sinks in because they are still so young and at that "I'm going to live forever!" stage.  Russell Bangerter wrote an article this month in the Mormon Times detailing his thoughts about pictures and family history. Take the time to read Our Ancestors: More Than Just Names on Paper.  It explains why I spend so much time doing what I do!