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Book Review: War Stories

9/4/2020

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War Stories is the newest book by best-selling children's author Gordon Korman. I just finished reading it, and I loved it so much that I feel compelled to write about it here, in the hopes that more children (and adults) will pick it up and read it. 

The book introduces us to 12yo Trevor Firestone from Malborough, Connecticut. Trevor is a WWII fanatic; he loves WWII video games, movies, posters, toys, and aircraft models. This interest is due to the stories his 93yo great-grandfather, Jacob Firestone, tells him about his time serving as an infantryman during the war. Trevor adores his G.G. (as he calls him) and relishes his stories of battle, heroism, and camaraderie. When G.G. is invited to be the guest of honor in a French village he helped to liberate in 1944, Trevor convinces his dad, Daniel, to let him come along for the trip.

This novel is written in two alternating timelines; one following the three generations of Firestone men in their modern-day journey to France, and the other taking place in 1944, following 17yo Jacob from his home in Connecticut to his basic training at Fort Benning, GA, over the ocean to England, crossing the English Channel and the events of D-Day, and then his company's journey across the French countryside pushing back and battling Nazi forces.

And one of the things I LOVE about this story is that the three Firestone men don't just travel straight to France; they visit Fort Benning and London and Omaha Beach. They drive through challenging hedgerows of the French countryside to get to Paris and nearby small French villages, some of which were completely destroyed in the war, and some that survived. And all along, Jacob is telling his stories, recognizing the smallest details in the countryside, remembering where his brothers in service fell, and gradually, Trevor and his dad notice the physical and emotional toll the memories are taking on their beloved G.G.

Not only that, but not everyone is happy that Jacob Firestone is coming back to Sainte-R
égine, the small French village the Americans helped liberate from the Germans in 1944. Daniel notices some malignant comments directed towards Jacob on the village's Facebook page. Someone leaves a dead bird on their rental car, slashes their tires, and throws a rock into their hotel window once they reach the village. Why doesn't everyone believe Jacob Firestone is a hero? What is G.G. not telling his grandson and great-grandson about his time in France?
​
In an effort to stay spoiler-free, that is all you will get from me regarding the plot of this story. I will, however, say a few more words about the themes and characters of this book that I really, really love:

The relationship between Trevor and his great-grandfather. Unlike a lot of kids would, Trevor does not take for granted how lucky he is to be able to know his veteran great-grandfather and to be able to learn so much from him. They are truly best friends.

Trevor's father, Daniel, worries that G.G.'s war stories glorify war too much for Trevor - he is constantly reminding his son that war and its consequences, while sometimes necessary, are destructive and harmful to both sides, no matter who wins in the end.

Loss of life, particularly within a soldier's band of brothers, is heavy and heartbreaking and something awful that these boys carried with them for the rest of their lives. I don't know that I've ever read another middle-grade novel that deals with these situations in such a upfront and profound way as this book does.

War is complicated. Friendly fire kills people it shouldn't. War heroes didn't always do heroic things. The effects of war, good AND bad, are felt for many generations after the fact and the trauma remains in families for decades.

Overall, this is a great book for adults to read WITH kids. I certainly learned a lot, not only about the war itself, but it made me think about WHO writes the history and HOW that influences us to think certain things about historical events. Send me an email and let me know what you think of the book if you and/or the kids in your life end up reading it!

@2020 Emily Kowalski Schroeder

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Book Review: I Can Make This Promise

10/29/2019

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I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
'I Can Make This Promise' by Christine Day is a new juvenile fiction middle-grade novel that has some great family history themes, so I thought I'd write about it on the blog today.

Edith (Edie) is a happy 12yo girl living in the Seattle area, who loves to draw and hang out with her two best friends. One day, while exploring the attic, they stumble upon an old, tattered box, and inside that box is a photo of a beautiful woman who looks just like Edie. Not only that, but also within the box are old letters signed by a woman named 'Edith,' apparently Edie's namesake. All Edie knows about her mom is that she is Native American and that she was adopted as a baby. The discovery of this box and its contents makes Edie want to know more about her family history, especially this mysterious woman in the photo. 

At first, Edie keeps her discovery of the box a secret from her parents, but tries, in subtle ways, to get them to answer some questions about the past. It doesn't go well, at first, but then there is one conversation between Edie and her mom that really resonated with me:

Edie asks, "You never tell me stories from when you were growing up."
And her mom's reply is, "That's because I never wanted you to feel sorry for me."

And, for me, it was like a light bulb clicked on. THIS. This was a large reason why so many people do not want to tell the story of their lives. I think I always just assumed it was because they didn't want to relive the pain of the memories, and, while this is indeed the case for many people, it's not the whole story. We do not want our life experiences to elicit pity from others.

And it got me thinking - Do we do this too much within the family history community? Do we inadvertently reinforce the shame placed on our family members (by society, religion, or other people) by feeling sorry for a person?  I think we do to some extent, but many of us don't even realize we are doing it.

People don't want you to feel sorry for them or their lot in life. They want you to see the person, not the circumstances. I will be thinking on this for a long time, as it relates to my family history and my own history.

I won't tell you how this novel ends, but I will say there is some closure for Edie, as well as an awakening, as far as learning more about her family's past and about who she is. 

This novel helps to fill a void that exists in juvenile literature with respect to Native stories being told by Native authors. Christine Day is a member of the Upper Skagit tribe of the Pacific Northwest. Again, I won't elucidate on the details of this story, as to avoid spoilers, but I'll just say that, with this novel, she brings to light fairly recent history (1940s-1970s) that literally tore Native families apart. If I could convince every adult I know to read this story, I would, because you WILL learn things that you never learned in school (and that may have been happening while you WERE in school). And you will find that the circumstances described in this book are still happening on American soil today. 

You can read more about and order 'I Can Make This Promise' at THIS LINK. A portion of the sale proceeds come back to help maintain the Growing Little Leaves website.

©2019 Emily Kowalski Schroeder. All opinions are my own.



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Fall Leaves Family Tree

10/23/2019

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Fall Family Tree // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
It has been awhile since I posted a hands-on family tree craft, but I've got something new this fall season. Fall is a great time to go for family walks and hikes, and, this time of year, kids are all about exploring the leaves that have fallen on the ground. I thought incorporating actual fallen leaves into a family tree project would be a great idea!

First, take your child(ren) outside in an area where there are lots of trees - and the more variety of trees the better! (Perhaps a trip to the cemetery is in order...hint, hint.) Then, collect leaves! You're going to want leaves that aren't yet too dry; leaves with a little more moisture still in them will lay flat better when you get to the gluing stage.

Next, get a larger sheet of construction paper or even a posterboard. I used a piece of brown construction paper and cut out a simple tree trunk shape. Remove the stems from the leaves. Use a gluestick to glue the leaves onto the top of the tree trunk any way you want. These steps are so simple that even a preschooler can do it!

Next, I printed out little family photos and we glued them right on top of the leaves. We included immediate family plus grandparents and aunts and uncles, but you could also just do the maternal or paternal side or direct ancestors. It's really up to you and your kids!

Fall Family Tree // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Next, I printed out little family photos and we glued them right on top of the leaves. We included immediate family plus grandparents and aunts and uncles, but you could also just the maternal side or paternal side or direct ancestors or first cousins, etc. It's really up to you and your kids! Happy Fall!
Fall Family Tree // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Evie Finds Her Family Tree by Ashley B. Ransburg is a wonderful children's picture book that uses real images of colorful leaves to celebrate the uniqueness of each family member in a family 'tree.' Read my review of this book at this link.

©2019 Emily Kowalski Schroeder
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Rites of Passage

5/22/2019

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This past weekend, our daughter made her First Communion. In the Catholic faith, this means she can now participate fully in the eating and drinking of the consecrated bread and wine every week at Mass. It's a big deal, and usually celebrated with a party and cake and lots of loved ones and well wishes. 

Girls traditionally wear a white dress for the Mass, and my daughter wore MY dress that I wore some 30-some years ago. (It fit her perfectly - genetics for the win!) Better yet, the dress was hand-made just for me by my Great Aunt Helen. I love that my daughter was able to wear it and incorporate a little family history into her special day. 

Nearly every world religion and culture has ceremonies, rituals, gatherings, etc. for children and/or teens to mark special times in their lives in which they pass from one stage of life or status within the community to another. And going through these rites of passage can connect our kids to their ancestors, who went through the same ceremonies and traditions so many years ago. 

Perhaps your family is secular, and doesn't practice the religion your ancestors once did. No worries! There are lots of modern-day rites of passage that your kids will go through that can also connect them to the experiences of their ancestors. Things like getting a first job, getting a driver's license, advancing to a higher sports team or scouting group, and school graduations are rites of passage that can be just as important in life as religious ones. Look for parallels in your ancestors' lives that you can share with your child when their big day happens. If photos exist of elder family members going through these landmarks of life, pull them out and share them with your child. 

Whatever coming-of-age traditions your family celebrates, make an effort to impart to your children and grandchildren how that tradition connects them to their loved ones, both living and deceased. If you are able to incorporate some sort of family heirloom into their experience, even better. 

And don't forget to document the event with photos, scrapbooks, and guest signature books. 
Encourage elder family members to share their memories of their experiences (and maybe even write them down!) Help your child add these special events to your family history software or FamilySearch / Ancestry online tree. Doing so can help kids and teens make connections with the past and with their family history.

©2019 Emily Kowalski Schroeder

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The Kid-Friendly Family Reunion

4/27/2019

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The Kid-Friendly Family Reunion // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Family reunion season is right around the corner. Are you planning on attending one this year? Tons and tons of planning goes into creating special family reunion experiences, and it can be tough trying to please everyone. This blog post will give you some practical and logistical ideas about how to make the family reunion experience a positive one for the youngest people in your family. 

1.) Make sure everyone is well-rested. Attending a reunion often involves traveling long distances, which can be tiring to both adults and children alike. If possible, plan on arriving to the reunion locale at least two nights before the actual reunion. This will give kids a chance to get used to their temporary sleeping arrangements. While it is hard to maintain your family's usual schedule on the road, try to have the kids stick to their normal bedtime that night before the reunion itself, so hopefully they will have a good sleep. 


2.) Allow children to dress comfortably. Everyone wants to look their best for the rest of the family to see, but a full day in 'church clothes' is just going to make kids cranky. Dress kids in garments made of breathable fabrics that fit a bit on the looser side. Bring along an extra change of clothes for everyone, and that includes an extra set of shoes, especially if your reunion is an outdoor one.

3.) Do not force children to greet other relatives with a kiss and/or hug, and tell your children that it is ok to politely refuse. I'm a firm believer in teaching children bodily autonomy from young ages and being able to actively say yes or no to these types of affection falls into that category. Teach your children how to give a good handshake, and tell them that that is another option to consider when greeting family members, but even that should be their choice. Plus, if a child has an awkward encounter with a little-known family member right off the bat, what are the chances that that child will even try to talk with that person again? Slim to none.

4.) Make sure there are plenty of kid-friendly food and drinks. Great Aunt Alice's famous potato salad recipe might be a favorite among the adults, but the kids might not be fans.  Simple food is always best when it comes to pleasing kids, and, if you think there won't be foods your kids like at a family gathering, there is no shame in bringing along your own. (Lots of families end up doing this anyway if they have special dietary needs.)  If you're organizing the reunion, make sure there is always some sort of food out for snacking, too; lots of kids are, by nature, grazers and just eat small portions often throughout the day. Forcing kids to wait all day for a big late afternoon dinner without other food options will make a lot of kids (and some adults) pretty cranky.      

5.) Create quiet, kid-only spaces. Reunions can be overstimulating for many kids. It's a great idea to create one or two spaces on the periphery of the main gathering space, where kids can go to get some quiet alone time. Set up a couple of camping tents and let the kids know that these are their spaces in which to retreat when it all gets to be too much. If you have a noise-sensitive child, consider bringing along noise-cancelling headphones to wear if they get overwhelmed. 

6.) Have kids bring their security items to the reunion. Blankets, lovies, special toys, pacifiers - let them have them during the reunion. They are called security things for a reason - they help a child feel safe, and in the hectic environment of a large family reunion, they might need them more than ever. 

7.) Keep yourself available, both physically and emotionally, to your child(ren). I know that that can be difficult, especially if you are helping out with various facets of the reunion itself, but you are their ultimate security 'blanket.' If they need some cuddle time, or to be brought to a quiet place, indulge them. Chances are, within a few minutes, they'll be ready to get back to all the fun.

8.) Have a wide variety of activities available to entertain kids. Some kids will naturally gravitate towards group games, like tug-o-war or water balloon fights, while other children would much rather pass the time with individual or small group activities, like puzzles, coloring, cards, or simple board games. Organized games and activities can be great, but make sure there are plenty of toys and things to do that are just there, always out, always accessible for kids to just pick up and start with on their own. Of course, the Activities page of this website has lots of game and activity ideas that can be used at family reunions, but I encourage you to check out the resources below as well, for ideas on how to keep all types and ages of kids busy and happy at your reunion:

FamiyLocket.com Post Index and Family History Ideas for Children and Teens (lots of ideas for children's activities and ideas for family reunions)
10 Fun Family Reunion Activities for Kids - GatheredAgain.com
10 Fun Family Reunion Games - ReserveAmerica.com

Super-Fun Ideas for Family Reunions - Parents Magazine
The 30 Best Family Reunion Games, Activities, & Ideas - GenealogyBank.com

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What other tips do you have for creating positive family reunion experiences for kids? Leave a comment and let me (and other readers) know!


© 2019, Emily Kowalski Schroeder

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Examining Ephemera

4/16/2019

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Examining Ephemera // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Some of my favorite items in our family history holdings are those things that were never meant to be saved, never meant to tell a story or be passed on, never meant to be heirlooms, so to speak. However, many items of ephemera DO contribute (sometimes significantly) to our family stories, and sometimes they even create their OWN stories, as they might be the only evidence of these happenings in our ancestors' lives. 

You may have heard items like this collectively described as ephemera. So, what exactly IS ephemera? Here is what the Oxford English Dictionary has to say:

"Things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time"
(Derives from the Greek word ephēmeros, meaning 'lasting only a day.')

According to who you ask in the genealogical community, any of the following could be considered ephemera:

Ticket stubs from sporting events, amusement parks, theatre shows
Ticket stubs from travel
Personal or business letters and envelopes
​Greeting cards
Postcards
Invitations
Receipts 
Club or union membership cards and rosters
Dance cards
Report cards, graduation programs, reunion programs, schoolwork 
Church bulletins and newsletters
Funeral cards 
Business cards, stationary, ledger forms
Napkins and coasters
Matchbooks
Ration books

Using ephemera to introduce or enhance kids' understanding of family history is a great idea for a few reasons. By its nature, ephemera is very visual and hands-on; this is so important in order to keep their attention and interest. Even in our digital society, paper ephemera is still a part of our everyday lives, so kids will automatically understand what it is. And, my favorite reason to introduce kids to ephemera is that it is, to some degree, open-ended in its story and requires a child or teen to use analytical skills to piece together the item's meaning and significance.

​When examining ephemera with child(ren),  make it a game. Search for clues, maybe even using a magnifying glass to play out the part (much like we did for our Directory Detectives activity).

While doing so, ask them the following questions:

1.) What is the item? Read out loud any text. Examine both sides.  What was its original purpose? (Answering this question may take some research and/or help from elder generations, depending on the item in question. For example, kids and teens today are likely unfamiliar with ration books, matchbooks, dance cards, or pin money clubs. But examining ephemera like this is SO great because it not only introduces kids to aspects of their ancestors' lives, but also to common clubs or traditions or events of that historical time period. Learning general history through our ancestors makes it so much more meaningful!)

2.) Is the item dated? If yes, how old was your ancestor at the time?

3.) Is it from a particular event, place, or time period in your ancestor's life? How could you learn more about that event, place, or time period?

4.) If a ticket stub or receipt, is there a price listed? If yes, try to figure out how much the same event or item would cost today.

5.) Why do you think your family member saved this? 

6.) What types of ephemera would YOU save to help future generations know more about your life?

If your child is willing, encourage them to start collecting personal ephemera of their own, from places or events that are special and memorable to them. All you need is a three-ring binder and some acid-free, archival-quality clear sleeves. Or, if they are more technologically inclined, perhaps they will want to digitized their memorable ephemera and maybe even create their own personal digital scrapbook website online.

You will find that some kids (especially younger ones) will want to save everything - and this is an opportunity to convey to them the idea that you CAN'T save everything. We need to be selective about what we save. We need to choose ephemera from times or events or places that really mean a lot to us and that contribute to our own stories and family stories. There is an art to saving ephemera, and, if done right, it can add SO much to our family history without over-burdening future generations. 

Encourage kids and teens to help YOU or other family historians sort through and digitize the ephemera left by previous generations. Did great-grandma leave behind a box full of funeral cards? Have the kids put them in chronological and/or alphabetical order.  Are all those old letters folded in halves or thirds? Have the kids help smooth them out before digitizing. There are lots of ways to give kids first-hand experience in the process of archiving family history.

Also, let kids help you FIND new sources of ephemera that may have meaning to your family. Believe it or not, Ebay is a great place to look for pieces of family history ephemera - I've found old matchbooks from family businesses and postcards depicting long-gone buildings that played a role in my family's history. The Digital Public Library of America, as well as other state historical digital collections, are also great places to search for family ephemera.

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Kapa Haka: A Journey Home

3/3/2019

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Kapa Haka: A Journey Home // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
RootsTech 2019 is a wrap! I have lots to share about my experience at this awesome conference. I do intend on writing a blog post outlining some of my favorite sessions, but there is one session I attended that was so impactful to me that it deserves its own blog post.

The session consisted of the showing of a documentary entitled 'Kapa Haka: A Journey Home,' and afterward there was a question/answer session with the three young women who made the film.  As I sit here now, I struggle to put into words the range of emotions I felt while watching this documentary. It was an experience of the heart. I will, however, attempt to summarize some of the main themes expressed in the film and how so much of it relates to genealogy. 

As the pamphlet says, this film follows a young Māori/Tongan woman who returns to New Zealand for the first time since she was five years old (after growing up in the U.S.) The interviews with her were real and raw, and through her range of emotions, we are shown just how complex it can be to go back to a place and a culture that is a part of who you are, but one that you haven't been immersed in for most of your life.

​Below, I'll outline some of the significant things I learned from this film. The majority of the film showcases the kapa haka. From Wikipedia,

"The work of a kapa haka consists of the performance of a suite of songs and dances spanning several types of Māori music and dance, strung together into a coherent whole."  

The film teaches us about the kapa haka (and its cultural meanings) by chronicling the work high school students do to prepare for the annual Polyfest competition. For pretty much the entire film, I was simply in AWE of these teens' talent, work ethic, passion, and respect for their culture and the people who came before them. Several of the teens are interviewed, and just hearing them speak of 'lifting up my culture,' 'connecting with my culture,' and singing so beautifully in a language that was in danger of dying out just a few decades ago left me, as a viewer, with such a deep admiration of these young people and of the way in which they are carrying on their ancestors' traditions.

Here is a very short video from NPR that gives you a sense of kapa haka.

Pepeha 
In Maori culture, a pepeha is a way of formally introducing yourself to another person. That introduction is formulated in a way that tells others how you are connected to place and to other people. It not only includes a bit of your 'whakapapa' (genealogy), but it also includes landforms, such as mountains, rivers, and other bodies of water, from your place of origin or those with which you personally identify.

​There is no English word to convey this 'genealogy to the land' concept, but it is something that I have felt for a long time. About 20 years ago, I left my home, the place where I grew up, the place in which all of my ancestors had lived since they left their European homelands and immigrated to America. My husband and I lived in four different states in that time I was gone, and there was no place in which I really felt at home. In fact, I had a running joke going with my husband, in which I would just say to him, "Don't bury me here." It wasn't really a morbid thing; it was me going to local cemeteries all the time, and just not being able to imagine myself (even my postmortem self) away from my ancestors. Since moving back to my Home, I've felt much more of a peace that I never felt in any of the other places we've lived. I have a connection to the physical land.

There is a really neat app called 'Pepeha' that you can download for free. It explains more about pepeha and helps you to create a visual of your own pepeha! Click HERE to learn more.

Ta Moko 
Ta Moko refers to traditional Maori tattooing. I learned from this film that these tattoos have incredible cultural AND familial significance. One of the teens in the film talked about her ta moko tattoo and about how each little design represented one of her family members. Another gentleman with full-face tattoo designs mentioned that every time he looks in the mirror, he is looking at his genealogy, his ancestors.

I learned so much from this film and it just makes me want to connect more deeply with my cultural heritage - the heritage that my people developed over hundreds of years BEFORE they came to America. 

After the viewing of the film, all of us in the audience were wondering where we could buy a copy. The three young women who made this film mentioned that they are still working on how to possibly distribute it, but encouraged us to follow their social media accounts (listed on that pamphlet above) to get updates and I hope you will do the same.

©2019 Emily Kowalski Schroeder
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Family History Pictionary

2/18/2019

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Family History Pictionary // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
My 8-year-old daughter is really, really into playing board games right now, so that has made me think a little bit more about how I might be able to adapt popular board games into family history games. So, today's post is about a way in which to create a family history Pictionary-type game. This is NOT an original idea of mine; I've seen it mentioned on other family history websites, most recently this one at The Family History Guide. This blog post is just my individual take on the idea, so I hope you find it helpful.

For those of you who have never played Pictionary, it is a very simple, easy-to-play game in which a person attempts to get their teammate(s) to guess a something based on the pictures he/she draws. The team only has a limited amount of time in which to guess what the illustrator is drawing, and no numbers or letters are allowed in drawings.

The commercial version of Pictionary comes with a board on which each team moves game pieces around, but that's really not necessary in the simplest form of the game. All you need is at least two teams, a pencil and pad of paper, a way to keep time, and cards each illustrator must blindly choose from to know what to draw. Before you begin, decide on how many rounds you will play, and the team with the most correct guesses wins!

What goes on the cards? This is where we can tailor the game to fit our own family history. Below, I will list some ideas for different categories and different things that you can put on the cards for people to draw. Just like in real Pictionary, you will find that some words turn out to be more difficult to draw and guess than others. When playing with kids, I recommend making sure they are on teams with other adults, and allowing those adults to "coach" them if they have questions about how to draw a particular clue.

-Occupations and occupational tools
-Military branches
-Places: cities, towns, states, countries, ports of departure and entry
-Historical events and institutions: wars, migrations, or specific events your ancestors may have participated in (Examples: Boston Tea Party, Underground Railroad)
-Modes of travel and migration routes your ancestors used: Horse, wagon, steamship, sailing ship, train, canal boat, walking, streetcar, Oregon Trail, Erie Canal
-Hobbies
-Food
-General genealogical records and words: birth, marriage, death, baptism, cemetery headstone, journal, photos, newspaper, yearbook, citizenship, city/town directory, passport

Using Microsoft Publisher, I've created some basic, customizable, cards that you can fill in to create your own family history Pictionary game. I've done a few sample ones based on my own family history to give you an idea of how they work. On the top of the card is the word or phrase that must be drawn and guessed. On the bottom of the card is a small space where you can write HOW that relates to your family history. So, after time has expired, and whether or not the team has properly guessed the word/phrase, you can read that short sentence to the entire group and learn some facts about your family history and ancestors. These facts could pertain to life-changing events in your ancestors' lives, or more simple things like hobbies, games, or foods they enjoyed.

Sample Family History Pictionary Cards // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
So, please feel free to download this file below. You will need Microsoft Publisher to open and edit it. All of the cards are blank and ready to be edited by you. (You can also change size and type of font, if you want to.) Once you have your cards written and printed,  I do recommend that you laminate them for durability. This would be a great game to play at any family reunion or other larger family gathering. 
pictionary_cards.pub
File Size: 242 kb
File Type: pub
Download File

©2019 Emily Kowalski Schroeder
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Genealogy Word Puzzles

1/31/2019

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Genealogy Word Puzzles // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Anyone else ready for spring yet? My kids were off of school for the last two days, and with below-zero temperatures, we have a bad case of cabin fever. I created a couple of word puzzles to pass some time and I thought I'd share them with you, too. The first is simply a genealogy word search. This is a great puzzle for parents/grandparents and kids to do concurrently, so kids have a person to ask when they might not know what some of these different words mean, or how they are related to family history. (Click on images to download PDFs.)

The other one is a crossword puzzle that I created using the website ArmoredPenguin.com. They have a nice, free crossword puzzle generator.  While the answers to the crossword clues are all likely to be words that elementary-aged kids know and have heard within the context of their own families, the clues will likely really make them think, and will hopefully help them to understand these relationships in a larger context.

Genealogy Word Search FREE Printable // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Family Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
Here is the key to the crossword puzzle:
family_vocab_crossword_key.pdf
File Size: 8 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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31 Tips for Attending RootsTech

1/15/2019

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31 Tips For Attending RootsTech // GrowingLittleLeaves.com
RootsTech 2019 is right around the corner so I though I would share some tips I've learned both as an attendee and a presenter. My tips sort of cover everything  from staying comfortable and healthy, to session etiquette, to networking, to having fun! Leave a comment and let me know what your top RootsTech tips are!

1.) Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

​2.) Dress in layers and prepare for temperature swings in the conference center. 

3.) Examine the schedule posted at this link, and plan what sessions you'd like to attend, BUT...

4.) Be flexible with your choices in case the rooms fill up quickly and there are no seats left.

5.) Familiarize yourself with Salt Palace Convention Center layout. Check out this interactive floor plan where you can see all three levels, with labels for all room names and numbers, as well as locations of restrooms, elevators and escalators, and entrances/exits.

6.) Attend at least two presentations given by presenters you've never before heard speak.

7.) Attend at least two presentations about topics not directly related to your own family history research.

8.) Download the free RootsTech app to your mobile device to have quick access to the full schedule, speaker and exhibitor profiles, and attendee list. You can also download syllabi, follow social media posts, take session notes, and message fellow attendees directly through the app. Click HERE to learn more about the app and how to use it!

9.) Do NOT take photos of presentation slides unless the speaker gives you EXPLICIT permission to do so.

10.) Do not arrive to sessions late. If you think you may have to leave a presentation early, sit near the back of the room.

11.) Silence all mobile devices during sessions.


12.) Do not wear perfume or cologne while attending RootsTech. Many people are hyper-sensitive to these sorts of odors. In the close quarters of presentation rooms, those smells can become overwhelming, causing headaches, watery eyes, and sneezing in some people. 

13.) Be aware of where you are in relation to others. The conference center hallways and 
exhibit hall can get very crowded at times. It's great to see so many people connecting with others and having conversations, but when it's happening in the middle of a doorway or main hallway, it disrupts the flow of 'traffic' and can actually cause some major back-ups in people-movement. Simply stepping to the side while chatting or looking at your mobile device can alleviate some of that congestion.

14.) Don't overdo it physically or mentally. If you become overwhelmed, go back to your hotel room to rest, take a walk outside, or use the time as an opportunity to...

15.) Visit the Family History Library to do some research, BUT...

16.) Before the conference, examine the FamilySearch.org catalog and have a specific research plan so you are able to use every minute wisely. 

17.) Visit the exhibit hall during ongoing sessions. You will have a better opportunity to converse longer with exhibitors and they will be able to devote more time to your needs and interests.

18.) Stay hydrated. Salt Lake City has a dry climate, especially in the winter. Bring your own water bottle. There are water fountains at the back of the exhibit hall where you can fill it.

19.) Don't forget the lip balm and hand lotion (see #17).

20.) Always have some hand sanitizer with you, and wash hands regularly, especially before eating or drinking.

21.) ​To prevent the spreading of germs, cough into your elbow/sleeve - not your hands. Bring extra cough drop suppressants if dry air especially aggravates your throat.

22.) Patronize Greater Salt Lake City businesses. Harmons Grocery - City Creek has amazing ready-to-eat food selections, Eva's Bakery has the best coffee and baked goods in the downtown area, and Eborn Books is a large new/used book store that you will want to get lost in for hours.


23.) Take the UTA-TRAX light rail system to get around downtown Salt Lake City and to and from the airport. It's clean, affordable and punctual - you can't go wrong.

24.) Bring tissues to the keynote speakers; they are usually quite emotional. You WILL tear up, at the very least, if not break out into a full-blown ugly cry. 

25.) Arrive early to the general session and keynote speakers to have the opportunity to be entertained by host and emcee, Jason Hewlett. He is incredibly talented and has such a funny, wacky, and upbeat personality, you won't help but smile throughout his entire time on stage.

26.) If traveling from out of town, don't overpack, and leave some extra space in your luggage for any exhibit hall purchases you may return home with. You can also ask vendors if they provide shipping services, OR you can take advantage of the shipping services provided by the Salt Palace Convention Center Business Center. 

27.) Before the conference, make a budget for your exhibit hall purchases. Seriously. You will be tempted by all manner of wonderful family history goodies, and unless you set a budget for yourself, you may find a nasty credit card bill waiting for you a couple weeks later. 

28.) Bring along some business cards to exchange with people you meet, even if you don't have a 'business.' You can list your name, contact information, links to social media and/or blogs and websites, and the surnames in your family tree.

29.) Post often to social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) using the hashtag #RootsTech to share your experiences with others, and check out others' posts, too!

30.) Attendee feedback is taken very seriously, by both the RootsTech conference staff and presenters. You can leave conference feedback through the app by using the new Roots Crew icon, or you can send an email to info@rootstech.org. You can also tweet your questions/concerns to @RootsTechConf. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are volunteers in matching t-shirts all over the conference center to help, and they are the kindest, most knowledge people, so please ask away! For more information about the Roots Crew, click HERE.

Also, after each session you attend, be sure to leave feedback for ​the presenter(s). This can be done directly through the RootsTech app, but choosing that little clipboard icon on the left side of the screen. It's very quick to do, and I know most, if not all, presenters highly value the ratings and comments.

RootsTech Roots Crew Icon in App
Use clipboard icon to leave presenter feedback after each session. #RootsTech
​31.) And, most importantly, let your genealogy nerdiness shine brightly for all to see. You are among your people. :-)

I hope to see you at RootsTech 2019! If you register before January 25, you can get a four-day pass for $209, which is $90 off the regular price. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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©2019 Emily Kowalski Schroeder
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    Emily Kowalski Schroeder

    Founder and Author of Growing Little Leaves

    Emily Kowalski Schroeder / Founder and Author of GrowingLittleLeaves.com

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