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Children's Books and Family History: All the Way to America

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In 1912, my great-great-grandfather Luigi made the long journey from Northern Italy to California. He arrived at Ellis Island on December 8, 1912, alone, with no family traveling beside him and no loved ones waiting to greet him. Although the exact reasons he left Italy are unclear, it is likely that economic hardships played a role. Like many immigrants of his time, he came seeking new opportunities and the hope of a better future. Luigi left behind his wife and three children with the promise that they would join him later. He was not completely alone, however. Relatives who had immigrated earlier had already settled in California and would help him begin a new life. Like many Italians making the journey to America, he carried dreams of a better future—not only for himself, but for generations to come. When I think about the courage it must have taken to leave everything familiar behind, I cannot help but wonder what he carried with him. Certainly he packed clothing and a few persona...
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Family History and Creating Memories: Our Favorite Board Games

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After dinner, we would pull out one of two games Grandma loved to play: Mexican Train or Cards and Marbles (a fancy version of Sorry). It didn't matter which game we chose because Grandma was only after one thing: chaos. Winning didn't seem to matter much to her. In fact, she would happily sabotage her own game if it meant messing up someone else's. During Mexican Train, it often felt like she intentionally played on a train she knew someone else needed. In Cards and Marbles, you could hear the tapping of her fingernails on the wooden board as she calculated how many spaces away she was from landing on your marble and sending you all the way back to the start. There was always a healthy fear when playing Cards and Marbles with Grandma for two reasons. First, you never wanted to be paired up with her because you knew you were going to lose. Second, you never wanted to sit across from her because eventually the tapping would begin. It started softly, much like the da-dum, da-...
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Children's Books and Family History: The People Who Don't Appear on our Pedigree Charts

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When we think of family history, we often think of ancestors, pedigree charts, and generations connected by blood. Yet some of the people who have the greatest impact on our lives are not related to us at all. They are the friends who stood by us, the neighbors who welcomed us, the teachers who believed in us, and the mentors who helped us become who we are. Though they may never appear on our family tree, they are an important part of our story. Swashby and the Sea is a gentle reminder that unexpected friendships can change our lives. Through kindness, companionship, and connection, people who begin as strangers can become family in all the ways that matter most. In Swashby and the Sea , Swashby enjoys a quiet and predictable life by the sea. He prefers solitude and is content spending his days alone. Everything changes when a young girl named Rose and her grandmother move in next door. Despite Swashby's attempts to keep his distance, Rose's kindness, persistence, and joyful ...
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Children's Books and Family History: The Fourteenth Goldfish

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One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the ability to see their grandparents as people rather than simply Grandma and Grandpa. It can be difficult for children to imagine that their grandparents were once their age. Yet understanding their stories can help children feel more connected to their family and the generations that came before them. This is one of the reasons I chose to spotlight The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm, a middle-grade novel that balances humor and heart while inviting children to consider what their grandparents might have been like as teenagers. The story follows Ellie, whose life is turned upside down when a teenage boy appears at her door claiming to be her grandfather. After discovering a way to reverse aging, Ellie's grandfather suddenly finds himself young again. As the two embark on a series of adventures, Ellie begins to see her grandfather in a completely new light. No longer just Grandpa, he becomes a curious, determined, and...
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Family History Research: Meet Matilda Grant - Part One

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One of my favorite things about family history research is following clues that lead to new discoveries. Recently, FamilySearch suggested that my fourth-great-grandmother, Matilda Grant, may have remarried after the death of her husband. At first glance, it seemed like a simple research hint. However, as I began reviewing the records attached to her profile, I realized this mystery might hold the key to uncovering both her parents and her death information. Missing Information Matilda Grant's profile on FamilySearch does not include a death date, and she is not currently connected to any parents. What We Know Matilda Grant was born about 1811 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, England. Because she was born before civil registration began in 1837, her birth information must be reconstructed using other records such as parish registers and census records. Matilda married Thomas Wilford on 9 December 1829 at Wigston Magna Parish, Leicestershire. Because this marriage occurred before ci...
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Children's Books and Family History: A Summer's Day (Memory Prompt Monday)

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Sometimes the memories we cherish most are not the big vacations or special events, but rather the ordinary days that made up our childhood. The days that seemed unremarkable at the time—or even a little boring—often become the memories we hold closest to our hearts. For me, a typical summer day consisted of watching cartoons, riding my bike around the neighborhood, and bravely stepping into the freezing-cold paddling pool. One summer, I made sure to wake up before my siblings so I could put my favorite movie into the VCR without hearing any objections. I loved playing corner with my siblings. It was a simple game of throwing a ball toward the opposite curb and hoping it would hit just right and bounce back to you. Bonus points if you could catch it. I am sure my mum heard plenty of "I'm bored" throughout those long summer days, but now I would give almost anything to relive just one more summer day. That longing to return is what inspired today's memory prompt and ac...
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Come Follow Me & Family History: 1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-16

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"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."    (1 Samuel 16:7) I learned the truth of this principle while working at an after-school program. Each afternoon, children from the local elementary school would come to our program while their parents finished work. Together we completed homework, made crafts, played outside, and on Fridays we watched movies and ate popcorn. Before the start of a new school year, my boss informed me that I would be assigned to Juniper Elementary. This school had a reputation because of one particular student who was constantly getting into trouble. My coworkers hated working there, but my boss assured me that if we documented every infraction and followed the proper procedures, we would eventually be able to remove him from the program. So that is exactly w...
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