Research
Family
History — It's Fun!
Uncover
the Past - Bring Back the Memories
One
Saturday, I sat on the living room floor and pulled out some photo
albums. My intent was to find some pictures to use here on the web site
(and I did), but an interesting outcome was a fond trip down "memory
lane" that aided my life story research.
When was the last time you looked at those family photo albums?
Most
people think researching family history is a dull and tedious process.
It conjures up thoughts of hours spent in the library pouring over
genealogy,
books and encyclopedias. However, looking at pictures, watching family
videos, reading old letters or journal entries -these are all ways to
do family history research. For most people this is enjoyable. It
brings back a flood of memories.
Your Home is a
Treasure Trove
When
you start to research your life story or family history project, you
should start right there with those various artifacts. You will
probably be surprised, even amazed, at the amount of material you have.
(If you're anything like the packrat I am you'll discover a veritable
treasure trove.)
The
research will naturally extend beyond your home and belongings.
Chat it up with family and friends. Send emails or letters asking for
their family memories.
Family
history research is a big deal these days. You can do so much on
the Internet.
Let's Go
Surfin' Now
If
you are interested in building the family tree or finding out who your
ancestors are you can check out some very extensive genealogy
sites. A few examples are:
Rootsweb, The Oldest & Largest Free Genealogy Site
Ancestry.com
— Find Your Ancestors Now This site is incredible. You can do
a real world of searching – try it out with a 14
day free trial. The same people also operate the extensive
online site, Society Hall - FamilyHistory.com.
It's a comprehensive directory of genealogical and historical
societies on the web.
Another
good site for genealogical resources is the Family Research -
English, Scottish and Irish Genealogy News and Articles. Go here.
Timelines
There
are several software options, or even online resources, to create your
own personal history timeline. This is important so that you can record
your life timeline and compare it with historical occurrences. It
provides a good frame of reference.
Check out Genelines from Progeny Genealogy
or OurTimeLines.com.
Pictures
The
site Time Tales is
a treasure trove of great old photographs
submitted by people from around the globe. The pictures have been
discovered in attics, old trunks, at flea markets and elsewhere and are
put on the site as visual reminders of different time periods. Maybe it
will stir a memory or two, and it certainly illustrates the power of a
picture. (Be sure to check out our section on video
biographies.)
Some
of the really fun research sites are those that bring back
memories of your favorite music, movies, tv shows and pop culture.
Nostalgia is in, especially with so many Baby Boomers.
Music
Classic old time radio shows Old Time Radio
Number one songs in United States, year by year and week by week, as
based on Billboard music charts on Wikipedia.
If you listened to popular music in the 60s and 70s and need to
identify that song that's going round your head, AllButForgottenOldies.net
lists over 4000 songs from 1960-1975
Movies
The Internet Movie Database — Want information about
your favorite flicks, actors and directors? If you are a film buff this
is a great resource.
It will certainly bring back memories
The Greatest Years in Movie History
— You have formative and favorite years of your life. So,
too, the "Silver Screen".
Television
TV Land Online
to Re-visit your favorite old tv shows. Also, a fascinating
site
to access interviews with your favorite television legends is the Archive of American Television.
Pop
Culture
There are a number of places on the web to learn more about pop culture
and pop culture history and trends. Check out this obsessive
journal of quality pop culture: Pop Culture Magazine. This site is a blast!
I
even found a site about Supermarket history and
architecture Groceteria.
It might not seem that
important, but if you reminisce about the various grocery stores and
supermarkets you've shopped at over the years, from childhood to adult,
it's bound to stir up some interesting memories.
Are you a "boomer"? If you were born between 1946
and 1964 you are considered a baby boomer. There is a wealth of great
sites targeting boomers on the World Wide Web, among them www.irememberjfk.com
that cites itself as "a Baby Boomer's pleasant reminiscing spot". And AARP has their own site, magazine and
organization that regularly features news, stories and value for
boomers.
Toys
Toyadz
is where you'll find a gallery of classic toy and model ads. How many
of these do you remember? From Matchbox to Hot Wheels; Barbie to G.I.
Joe, classic ad campaigns from yesteryear.
History Sites
There are times when you want to compare world history with what was
happening to you or your family and friends. Check out the History Channel.
The Biographical Dictionary will keep you occupied with fascinating short
accounts of thousands of men and women who've shaped our world.
Newspapers, Newsletters,
E-zines & Magazines
Take advantage of the many great magazines, e-zines and newsletters
that can help with your family history knowledge and research. Of
course, we highly recommend our own free e-zine, "Your Life
is Your Story". You get lots of tips, resources and benefits
- go here
for more info.
A terrific site to look back into the past is Newspapers.com. Over 3100 United States newspapers
from the 1700s to the 2000s are archived on this website.
Family History Products has a good
newsletter. You might also want to investigate magazines like Family Tree Magazine. Take a trip down memory lane
with each wonderful issue of Reminisce
magazine (see more about them online here).
I've
previously mentioned the value of the e-book Memorygrabber
as a family history tool. The book's primary value is the number of
ideas, lists and resources it gives you to literally "grab" those
memories buried in the recesses of your mind and put on paper. But, as
a bonus, there are several great links to fun cultural websites (in
addition to those listed above). More info on Memorygrabber
here.
You
are going to discover the joy of family history and life story
research. Start surfin' the Net and digging through those home
treasures…and have fun!
*You
don't have to do all your research now to get started on telling
your life story. Here's your next
step.
Check
out these other links to research family history
Family
History Products
Site is full of articles, products and ideas that will help you in any
family history project. Home of the popular Memorygrabber
e-book. Get an up close look at the featured products and services of
their site here
Family Tree Magazine
Numerous resources on genealogy and family history in a magazine
format. An email update newsletter, the "toolkit" has various resources
such as workshops, bookstore, template/forms and ethnic research.
Family Search Centers
FamilySearch.org is a very large network of facilities offering public
access to genealogical records all over the world.
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Tom Gilbert
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