Do a little digging and a little writing.
Public libraries and the Internet serve as excellent resources for researching family history. Search for information online to get started. Write down birth dates, deaths, marriages, military enlistments and more in a journal. Throw in a few legends and funny events. Don't worry about your writing style; just use your curiosity and enthusiasm to create a record that will be a masterpiece of family memories.
Teach your children well.
Get your kids involved in family history by purchasing a family tree at a craft store or bookstore. Encourage them to add names to the tree as, together, you discover more about your family's heritage.
Cook up some family history.
If food and family are intertwined for you, make a book of well-loved recipes. It doesn't have to be fancy — a photo album or loose-leaf binder will work. Gather recipes from everyone you can. Simply e-mail a "call for recipes" to family members. Compile the recipes and, if other relatives are interested, make copies of the recipes along with anecdotes and family culinary customs.
Map your origins.
Whatever your family's place of origin, it's most likely on the map. Find it, mark it and discuss it with your family. Then, if you're feeling adventurous (and if it's affordable), travel to Italy or Africa or Russia ... to the places of your great-great-grandparents. Take photos of the places your ancestors lived, and create a scrapbook of those special memories.
It takes a family.
Of course, the best resources of all are family members. Grab a tape recorder, laptop, or pen and paper and let the interviews begin. You probably have an older relative or two who would love to share stories and recollections about your family though the years. They're living libraries of rich family history.
