5 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes For Genealogists

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Person in elaborate anime-style costume poses in a crowd, holding a small accessory. — A Halloween costume can be inspired by your heritage, and may even feature clothing or an accessory from an ancestor. Photo from Pexels

Check out these fun and easy last-minute costume ideas to bring your love of genealogy to Halloween! Because what holiday couldn’t use just a little more family history?

1. Go as a genealogist’s best friend: a librarian.

This costume is perfect if you already wear glasses. If not, you can purchase clear lenses at most Halloween stores. Carry your favorite Family Tree book for an extra librarian chic touch. For a male take on this costume, simply switch out the dress for corduroys and pick up a blazer with elbow patches.

2. Try on the signature outfit of a famous person to whom you are related.

Know that you are related to a celebrity or royalty? Looking for connections to famous people is a fun way to explore your genealogy and maybe find a new branch. Follow the same methods for “ordinary kin,” and you, like genealogy blogger Randy Seaver, might uncover relations to former presidents James Garfield, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. For Michelle Obama (to whom a former editor at Family Tree Magazine is distantly related), a simple dress, an American flag pin and a string of pearls are all that’s needed.

3. Dress up as the profession of an ancestor.

Going as a modern nurse for Halloween is cool, but replicating the uniform my grandma wore in the 1930s when she met my grandfather, a war surgeon, is even cooler. Pick an ancestor who you feel connected to and honor their memory with this easy costume. This is also an easy excuse to wear a few family heirlooms if you have them, like my grandmother’s watch.

4. A literal book fairy.

This costume leaves room for your imagination! This clever blogger used a dictionary and pages to make her costume. No need to slice and dice your favorite genealogy books, though. Find some articles here on Family Tree Magazine and print them out at home to create the fairy skirt and wings.

5. Find inspiration in a fairy tale or folk story from your family heritage.

Swan Lake, composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, is one of the most popular ballets of all time. As someone with Russian heritage, I grew up reading translated versions of the story and seeing it performed on stage. The fantastic tale inadvertently educated me on my Russian heritage. Choose a fairy tale or folk story from your own family to illustrate it this Halloween.