I missed a beat last week with it being the beginning of October but the belated birthday cards were always funnier than the regular ones so I will join the game a week late.

National Family History Month has only been observed since 1990. Currently, it is a worldwide opportunity to learn more about our family history and genealogy. Isn’t it nice that it coincides with Octoberfest as sometimes I feel like celebrating that after a research challenge or 2. Sorry, it’s the German side speaking.

Here are a few ways to celebrate:

1. FamilySearch has a 31-day list. One activity for each day. (Double up on a couple and get caught up.)
2. Interview living family members.
3. Document your own history / experiences.
4. Start to write your family story. You have a month plus to get it ready for family for the holiday cards.
5. Participate in local events such as going to HQRL to see what you can find and maybe begin your work.
6. Take a class. We have a beginning class on October 16^th at 11am.
7. Find someone who hasn’t started family history but is interested, whether a family member, neighbor or friend and help them get started. Serve as a mentor to them.
8. Take time to explore some of the resources such as HQ, FamilySearch, National Genealogical Society, Washington State Genealogical Society, a genealogical or historical society in an area that your family comes from, or so many other locations.
9. Have lunch with a fellow family historian and chat about the research, the challenges, and some potential solutions.

There are tons of ideas.

I was also reminded that a very important strategy in doing family history research is to take one step at a time and find several resources for each question. When I taught goal setting, we would talk about weight loss as an example. If I want to lose 50 lbs. I don’t set a goal to lose 50lbs. I set a goal to lose 1 lb. this week. Much more doable. In addition, find more than one way to do it. What is one thing you can do each day this month to work on your history.

Most of you reading this are well underway with your family history but you can help others or take on a new avenue for your own work. You know what they say, “My family history is done – said no family historian anywhere.”

Off to have an extra latte said the Washingtonian side of me.

Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com