Bite-size family history!

What about those days when you just don’t have time for anything, let alone your family tree?  Or you can’t face the thought of starting again after a while of neglecting it.  Perhaps you’ve tried but just aren’t able to get into the “zone”?

Try one of these quick-fix ideas – they don’t need to take more than an hour –that is, unless you want them to…and, of course, they don't have to cost you a penny.

And don’t blame me if you end up surrounded by genealogy at 2 a.m., in your pyjamas.

☙  Has it been a while since you last picked up your family history? Make a note of all the important events that have happened in your family in the intervening time.  New babies, weddings, funerals – these can all be added to your records.

☙  Find and read a library book or magazine article that will teach you something new about genealogy methods, or about your ancestors’ lives and times.

☙  Bite the bullet and get someone to show you how to use that family tree software you got to organise your information.

☙  Write or email a family member asking for their recollections and thoughts about your common ancestors.

☙  Do any of your relatives have a box or case containing family papers or memorabilia?  If you don’t already have access to it, find out if they're willing to share its contents and let you make copies.

☙  Start recording your life history, either in a conventional diary/journal, or in electronic format – maybe a video diary?

☙  Make a list of questions you would like to ask your relatives about the family, and be sure to take the list (and a notebook) to the next family get-together.

☙  Learn something about the area your forebears came from and do something special to celebrate your heritage.  For instance, if they were from Ireland, try and identify some Irish traditions you can use in your own home.

☙  Been putting off labelling/scanning your photos?  Pick four and work on them, and plan another time when you can do another four.  Then keep going!

☙  If you’ve registered with a genealogy website but never used it, now is the time.  Log in and see if they have a learning centre or help section with how-to videos and beginners’ tips that you can get inspiration from.

☙  Is there an emblem associated with your family?  Start with that, and design a family banner or flag for a special occasion, or just to display at home.

☙  Use your “hour” in a heritage centre or family history library.  As well as actually doing research, you could find out what resources they have, ask staff for ideas, and pick up handouts for future reference.

☙  Break out your old family history notes and charts, and have a review of what’s been done and what needs to be done to progress things.

☙  Visit a house, church, shop, graveyard, war memorial or other place in your area that has special significance for your family.  Don’t forget to take a camera to record what you see, and share your photos.