How do I get my kids interested in genealogy?

Do you ever wish your kids were more interested in family history? Do you think, they’ll probably enjoy learning about some of the intriguing and fascinating ancestors more than ‘boring farmer’? Do your children not show an active interest in genealogy?

I feel strongly that:

Think of the music that your parents shared with you from their growing up years. I know almost all the songs from musicals (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Singing in the Rain, and South Pacific) thanks to my mother. I also am familiar with the music of Elvis, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, and The Blood, Sweat, and Tears thanks to my mother. Why?

I was interested in my mom and therefore interested in her past.

So, step one -- get your children interested in you and your past. If you’re a grandparent, get your grandchildren interested in you. Get them interested in you, and they’ll be interested in your history.

Is that all?

Heck no. There also great tools to play with genealogy and then do different aspects of genealogy and I’ll refer you to the following YouTube videos to learn more:

Remember, tree climbing isn’t the only part of family history. They might have an interest in another aspect of family history work but you’re the one who is overlooking that interest.

If you want to expand your idea of family history and see if you can find which parts your kids enjoy, get our book Reimagine Family History to expand your scope and see if the kids want to take over one aspect of the greater genealogy work.

In the end, you have to plant seeds before you can start digging together.