Lunch Hour Family History Research Project Part 1

October is Family History Month. And while some say the future isn't written yet, one thing is certain, much of the past is well documented and waiting for your eager perusal. Once you begin research your family history things are bound to start getting downright fascinating.

You'll find your lunch break history project the beginning of an amazing journey leading to weekend library archive visits, town tours, trips to exotic places, history book reading, interviews, newsreel study, documentaries and yes even Hollywood movies defining the places, times and artifacts you've uncovered.

Family History Month

Family history enthusiasts celebrate Family History Month every October. There are many reasons why October is the ideal calendar month for discovering your family story.  It's a great indoor activity. It's the season writers take pen in hand, researchers post new findings and online genealogy related social engagements goes viral. It's a time of year we like to dig in and get engrossed in some good ol' adventurous reading.

When did it all begin? In 2001, Congress first passed a resolution introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, who wrote, "By searching for our roots, we come closer together as a human family." So get ready to embark on an engrossing journey in family history research and compilation during your next lunch break.

Family History Research

The information you find when researching your family history can explain how your family got here and why. Your work may also reveal defining characteristics, attributes, innate abilities, competencies, viewpoints and an outlook peculiar to your kinfolk answering the question regarding what makes you tick.

This  three part Family History Month article series will explain step by step the how to's of family history research and help you set up your Lunch Hour family history research project depository, compilation files complete with tips and access to some very creative presentation ideas.

Our next article Lunch Hour Family History Research Project Part 2 will focus on setting up and organizing your project files and a comprehensive list of online resources at your disposal. Stand by. Part 2 will be published this afternoon. 

Fall Family Reunion Reminders

Fall Reminders: Now is the time to start planning for a special event in November. We'll get back to that later in this post, but first... 

Autumnal Equinox

The autumnal equinox was Monday, Sept. 22 at 9:29 p.m marking the beginning of fall season in the northern hemisphere. The word equinox comes from the Latin words for "equal night." The fall and spring equinoxes are the only days of the year in which the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

At this time of year the temperatures begin to drop and the days start to get shorter than the nights. Personally I prefer longer days but colder, shorter  nights are a great time to get warm and cozy. I do like sitting by the fire with Brenda and playing music and sipping a nice warm brew with an oven toasted danish or home baked cookie for desert.

What The Proverbs Say

Some believe that how quickly leaves fall off trees serve as an indicator of what's in store for the winter. There's an old weather proverb that states, "If autumn leaves are slow to fall, prepare for a cold winter." 

Another proverb states: "Go to the ant..." What can you learn from ants this time of year? They teach us that diligent effort is needed if we wish to produce good fruitage. “Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and become wise. Although it has no commander, officer or ruler, it prepares its food even in the summer; it has gathered its food supplies even in the harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8)

I'm probably more of a gatherer than a hunter although I've had my moments. But speaking of good fruitage and gathering food supplies, It's canning time again! My sister Karen and niece Joy have spent the spring and summer growing herbs and veggies and I have dubbed myself the royal sampler of these delicious jarred gems just as soon as I can twist those tight lids off.

Looking for some tasty canning recipes? Here are a few I love straight from our 1000 Family Recipes page. Enjoy!

http://www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome/1000-family-recipes/

Fall Reminders

This is the best time of year to starting planning for next years family reunion.  That's why our group of family reunion planners dubbed November Family Reunion Planning Month. Why is November the ideal time to begin planning and organizing your next family reunion? Not only are prices on outdoor event supplies and equipment low but the season to gather with extended family will soon be upon us.  From November to January events involving the extended family make it an ideal time to come together and assist with family reunion preparations including photo and recipe swapping, heirloom documentation, refurbishment and display, genealogy research and interviews.

For more ways to observe Novembers Family Reunion Planning Month read...
http://familyreunionplanners.blogspot.com/2013/10/8-ideas-to-celebrate-annual-family.html

Making Family Reunion Planning Month Tradition

How can you make observing Family Reunion Planning Month a regular family tradition? Mid September begin sending out text reminders about the next family reunion planning meeting to all in the family and close friends. Before the meeting start brainstorming ideas for establishing date, venue and activity ideas. Also consider establishing an official family heirloom whether it be a hand-me-down artifact, a recipe book (see Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Guide and Keepsake Book) or a newly made quilt with patches of fabric material representing a special occasion from each household. 

Some families have created a family heirloom from baby clothes and accories everyone knitted over the years. You may event consider having an early fall knitting party just for that purpose. Brenda spent the past 4 years knitting scarves, hats and a beautiful blanket for our granddaughter which she still sleeps with after 4 years.

See our Knitting section for some great bootie knitting ideas:
http://www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome/the-art-of-knitting-crochet-and-sewing/

Welcome to the autumn season. The perfect season to enjoy the warmer times of our lives. 

Go ahead get inspired. Get the family reunion event planning app. What. Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner social web app yet? ... the family reunion planning app click on the link found on this blog page.

Family Autumn Fests

Low swirling winds sweeping up golden leaves and the scent of logs burning can quickly stir the heart. Warm woolen sweaters, pumpkins and multi-colored corn cobs seem to make each porch front more cozy and inviting. Autumn at its best.

But what's even better are the feasts. Sweet potato and pumpkin pie. Warm apple cider, corn wine, maple syrup on pancakes, turkey or chicken smothered in gravy with hot buttered veggies on the side. If you're the kind of person who likes an autumn cookout or a big spread in the dining room it's Family Fest Time!

At this time of the year families comes together to render much needed support, encouragement and inspiration. This led to a relatively new and exciting concept in family reunion planning. An annual observance established in 2005.

Family Reunion Planning Month
An observance centering around family reunion planning. The observance began when a family reunion planning group of 400 members agreed to make November the month to commence family reunion event planning. Mark Askew, founder of the groups official monthly newsletter, published and promoted the observance in his book Fimark's Family Reunion Planner. Read more at Wikipedia.com, keyword "Family Reunion."

 
Why November? 10 good reasons.

1. November is the time of year extended families come together making this an ideal time to discuss and establish suggested dates and activities for the next family reunion.

2. November - January are periods of time where families swap photos and videos. It's an ideal time to start putting together materials for family scrapbooks, family history books, memory books and family reunion keepsake booklets.

3. During this time elder family members like to keep family traditions alive and may make their own proclamations, education and financial planning and seek to empower the family union in some other way. Family reunion planning helps to serve that purpose as well.

4. November thru December is one of the more intimate times of the year. Indoor activities are the norm. This includes story telling. An ideal season to do family history information gathering including interviewing the elders of the family.

5. November starts nine weeks before the close of year. A good time to note the family's contributions toward bettering the community and set goals to complete important tasks before years end. One such task could be to establish a date, time and place to hold the next family reunion.

6. Many November observances are family oriented. Aside from the obvious, others including:

National Adoption Month
I Am So Thankful Month
Child Safety and Protection Month
Family Stories Month
National Family Caregiver Month
National Family Literacy Month
International Creative Child and Adult Month

That said, the fact that spending time with family is already being given serious consideration during this season makes it ideal for family reunion planning.

7. It a great time of year for family outings including nature walks, visiting museums and relatives near and far.

8. A season families plan short modest vacations and enjoy indoor recreational activities.

9. It's a traditional time of year to express thanks, gratitude and appreciation.

10. This is also a good time to get all family members involved in the family reunion planning process and appoint each and every family member over some aspect of the event.

November's Family Reunion Planning Month observance puts family in an ideal position to enjoy a veritable family fest at its best. 

Mark Angelo Askew is the Author of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner and Keepsake and Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner. Fimark Home Online at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net/, a family oriented special occasions planning resources featuring templates, planners and free printables for weddings, showers, anniversaries, graduations, sports events and seasonal family events including Autumn, Winter and Summer Family Fests.

Planning a family reunion? Don't have Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app yet? Get it at this summers discount special. List Price $49. Now $39 for a limited time. You save $10 dollars. No coupon code needed. For more information about the family reunion planning app click on the link found on this blog page or go to profiles.