5 Ways to Use Your Genealogy Research (That Aren’t More Research)

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Your genealogy research is a valuable thing. It can tell stories, help solve mysteries and connect you with your history through generations past. But it doesn’t stop there! Here a few ways that you can use your hard-earned research to help others and share the wealth.

1. Donate Your Research

Did you know that you can donate your research to libraries and genealogical societies? Perhaps your family isn’t as genealogically inclined as you are, and those institutions can make sure your research is preserved and available for future genealogists to use. Donating your research, or including your donation in your will ensures that your research stays out of the landfill.

Be advised that many libraries have limited space. Preparing your research in advance makes it more likely that it will be accepted. Study any guidelines for acceptance carefully.

2. Share Interesting Details with Family

Your research tells the story of how your family came to be, and so it can be a powerful tool for getting your family members interested in their roots. Turning the names and dates you’ve found into real people and places can spark curiosity about their past, as well as a sense of familial pride.

Consider using your research to:

Explain family resemblance, either through physical traits or similar abilities and interests
Provide backstory for a long-standing tradition
Tell stories full of poignant detail: resilience in hardship, overcoming adversity, finding joy in difficult situations and more

For younger family members, it helps to have a prop or an activity to help the history come alive!

3. Plan a Trip

With the rise of DNA testing, genealogy cruises are becoming more and more popular. But not every genealogy trip needs to be this extensive! Your research can provide the itinerary for a family history road trip or day trip to explore the places your ancestors lived. Use your research to plan a trip to Ellis Island, or other significant places in your family’s history.

4. Create a Story

Here at Family Tree, we love exploring ways to create narratives about family history. Turning your research into a story is a great way to organize and preserve your research, as well as tease out the most important, defining moments in your family’s story.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to write a book (unless you want to!). There are plenty of ways to write your family history. Perhaps you could choose one ancestor or family line and write down their story, journal about specific memories, or even start a family history blog.

Need some inspiration? Check out our list of writing prompts to help you get started.

5. Get Creative

Your genealogy research is a beautiful thing, and it should be displayed proudly! From digital projects like memorial sites and movies, to physical crafts like photo books and coloring books, there are so many creative ways to display and celebrate your family history!