Engaging the Next Generation – A Guide for Genealogical Societies and Libraries

Jennifer Holik, author of the Branching Out series of genealogy lesson manuals, has now produced Engaging the Next Generation: A Guide for Genealogy Societies and Libraries. In this new book Holik sets out to help societies, clubs, organizations, and libraries create a youth program for ‘the next generation’ of genealogists.

Part I of the book looks at organizing one-hour programs and for all aged students, and a half-day programs for older children: 4th grade and up. The guide helps groups determine a goal for the class they hope to offer, along with consideration for what the attendees should take away from the program. Since engaging children requires creativity, there are examples of ways to grab attention and actively involve the children in the class. The half-day programs are covered in two groups: 4th to 8th grade and a high school program.

Part II of the book provides societies a jumping off point by providing thirty lesson straight out of the Branching Out series. In fact, it is a copy of the 30 lessons from the 4th to 8th grade guides.

This guide can also be used by parents, schools, and churches looking to create a program to teach genealogy to children.

 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

How to Use this Book

Why and How to Engage the Next Generation

Part I

One-Hour Workshops for 1st – 3rd Grade Students

  • Example Outline
  • Workshop Preparation
  • Example Speaking Notes
  • Additional Project Ideas

One-Hour Workshops for 4th – 8th Grade Students

  • Example Outline
  • Workshop Preparation
  • Example Speaking Notes
  • Additional Project Ideas

One-Hour Workshops for High School Students

  • Example Outline
  • Workshop Preparation
  • Example Speaking Notes

Half-Day Workshops for 4th – 8th Grade Students

  • Example Outline
  • Workshop Preparation
  • Example Speaking Notes

Half-Day Workshops for High School Students

  • Example Outline
  • Workshop Preparation
  • Example Speaking Notes

Part II Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students

Items Needed

  • Required Books
  • Additional Resources

Lesson 1: What is Genealogy and Why Should I Care?

Lesson 2: Where Do I Start? What Do I Need?

Optional Projects

Lesson 3: Genealogy Databases

Lesson 4: The Family Group Sheet

Review Lessons 1 to 4

Lesson 5: Interviewing

Lesson 6: Write a Story

Lesson 7: Evaluate the Information

Lesson 8: Home Sources

Lesson 9: Hidden Sources

Lesson 10: Primary Sources and Citations

Lesson 11: Secondary Sources

Lesson 12: Evidence, Fact and Proof

Lesson 13: Vital Records

Lesson 14: Census Records

Lesson 15: Start a Diary

Review: Lessons 13 to 15

Lesson 16: Health and the Mysteries of Death

Lesson 17: Occupations

Lesson 18: Probate Records

Lesson 19: Land Records and Maps

Lesson 20: Military Records

Lesson21: Religious and Cemetery Records

Lesson 22: Immigration

Lesson 23: Naturalization Records

Lesson 24: Newspapers

Lesson 25: Research Plans and Logs

Example Research Plan

Example Research Log

Lesson 26: Timelines

Lesson 27: Examine it Once, Twice, and Again

Lesson 28: Travel

Lesson 29: Organizing Paper and Digital Files

Lesson 30: Putting it all Together

 

Get a copy of Engaging the Next Generation: A Guide for Genealogy Societies and Libraries from Family Roots Publishing; Price: $29.35.

About Leland Meitzler

Leland K. Meitzler founded Heritage Quest in 1985, and has worked as Managing Editor of both Heritage Quest Magazine and The Genealogical Helper. He currently operates Family Roots Publishing Company (www.FamilyRootsPublishing.com), writes daily at GenealogyBlog.com, writes the weekly Genealogy Newsline, conducts the annual Salt Lake Christmas Tour to the Family History Library, and speaks nationally, having given over 2000 lectures since 1983.

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