Family History Detective Checklist for Junior Genealogists

What kind of tools do you need for your family detective work? Here’s a checklist of items you’ll find helpful. You probably have most of these things already. Ask a grown-up to help you gather the other items on the list.

• notepad
• pens or pencils
• blank genealogy forms to record information you uncover
• binder for storing your forms, notes and “evidence” you collect
• atlas for finding where your ancestors lived
• magnifying glass for inspecting documents and photographs
• relationship chart, which you can use with a grown-up’s help to figure out if someone is a first, second, third or even a “removed” cousin
• library card
• audio or video recorder for interviewing relatives