Title: “The Hearts of the Children”
Exhibitor: Teri Zenger
Description: Our family and extended family have met together every other
month for the purpose of learning more about our family history. Family members take turns “hosting” Family History Night. It is the host’s responsibility to determine the activity and make necessary assignments. He or she may ask Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, etc., to come and share his/her personal history, special memories of ancestors, and humorous or spiritual stories. Scrapbook pictures and special family treasures are shared with the family members. Family members may ask questions of the presenter, tape record, or videotape the presentation. Or, a “field trip” to a cemetery may be planned where family members visit grave sites of relatives. Baptisms for the dead may also be performed for ancestors. This has been a great way for family members to learn more about their relatives, ancestors and family traditions.
How To’s: Family History Night Ideas
Family
History Night Ideas:
! Grandpa really was a kid once! Grandpa briefly told his own history. A hand-written copy was given out to each child. Tons of pictures were passed around. Orders were taken to have copies made. Grandpa’s favorite childhood dinner was served.
! Grandma used to be a model? Grandma briefly told her own history. A hand-written copy was given to each child. Tons of pictures were passed around. Orders were taken to have copies made. Grandma’s favorite childhood dinner was served.
! Tell us about Grandma Omi playing witch! Grandpa filled us in on his mother, our great Grandma. A tape recording of Grandma Omi was briefly played. The kids loved hearing her German accent. Tons of pictures were passed around. Orders were taken to have copies made. Aunts and Uncles shared their memories.
! So that’s what a banker looks like! A favorite uncle came and told about great Grandpa Zenger. Tons of pictures were passed around. Orders were taken to have copies made. Old missionary journals were read. Old bank statement books were interesting to see.
! A trip to the Salt Lake City Cemetery. More fun pictures of all these old people. A map with all the graves marked on it was handed out. We walked from site to site. At each site we found out about that person. A picnic followed with each family bringing their favorite food.
! Speaking of genealogy… A presentation was given on the lineage of the priesthood. Pictures were used to trace the men’s priesthood lines back to Christ. A chart with this information was given to each child.
! What about the genealogy in our patriarchal blessings? A presentation was given explaining the lineage in our patriarchal blessings. Scripture was used to tell about our heritage. Charts were made showing how lineage all lined up. Testimony was shared about patriarchal blessings.
! I love slide shows! After a recent trip to ancestral homelands, slides were shared. A look at where great Grandma had grown up. We were actually able to go inside one of her houses. A look at where great, great Grandpa was buried. Maps are important to look at. A world globe helps too.
! Let’s help those guys! Baptisms for the Dead. Anybody 12 and up was invited. The older cousins were able to perform the baptisms. Adults continued with initiatory work and endowments. What a neat way to bring all this family history stuff together.
! What about you Dad? Were you little once? Each sibling took 15 minutes to tell about his/her childhood. Each brother or sister shared a favorite memory about the others. Each brother or sister brought an item that meant something special to them when they were young. Pictures were mandatory. This night made all the aunts and uncles become “extra alive” to their nieces and nephews.