Unearth a Story This Summer - Your own!

This summer our Summer Reading Program invites readers of all ages to “Unearth A Story”.  As children dig into exciting books and adventures, the LJCLS

Genealogy Department encourages families to uncover stories that may be hidden even closer to home – the stories of their own families.

Genealogy is like a treasure hunt through time.  Every census record, newspaper article, photograph, letter, and family memory can reveal clues about the people who came before us.  With each discovery, we unearth stories of perseverance, adventure, community, and family traditions that help shape who we are today.

Family History is Full of Stories Waiting to Be Unearthed

When many people think of genealogy, they imagine names and dates on a family tree.  But genealogy is really about stories.  Who were your ancestors?  Where did they live?  What challenges did they overcome?  What dreams did they pursue?

This summer, families can become story detectives by:

·         Interviewing grandparents or older relatives and recording their memories.

·         Creating a simple family tree together.

·         Exploring old family photographs and identifying the people pictured.

·         Searching historical newspapers for stories about relatives and local communities.

·         Discovering where family traditions began.

·         Reading books about the places and time periods where ancestors lived.

Each clue helps uncover another piece of your family’s story.

Unearth the Past, Connect with the Present

One of the most rewarding parts of genealogy is discovering how personal history connects to larger historical events.  Children often become more interested in history when they learn that an ancestor experienced a major event, served in their community, traveled to a new place, or contributed to local history. Events like America's 250th birthday can give kids a start to find their place in American history.

Family history research encourages curiosity, reading, critical thinking, and research skills – all while strengthening connections between generations.

Dig Into the Resources at the LJCLS Genealogy Department

The LJCLS Genealogy Department offers a variety of resources to help researchers of all ages unearth their family stories.  Along with census records and local history materials to newspaper archives and research databases, we have family tree charts for all ages from basic children's trees (including blended families) to more advanced generational charts, we can help you get started on your journey of discovery.

Whether you’re uncovering a long-forgotten family tale, finding an ancestor in a historical record, or simply learning more about where your family came from, every discovery adds another chapter to your story. 

As you participate in this year’s Summer Reading Program, we invite you to look beyond the pages of a book and explore the stories hidden within your own family history.  You never know what treasure you might uncover.

This summer, join us as we “Unearth a Story” – one book, one record, and one family memory at a time.