October is Family History Month in the United States. Australia held a similar event in August, and in Quebec, November 22 to 29 will be Semaine nationale de la généalogie, a province-wide week devoted to genealogy. All of these initiatives provide an opportunity for genealogy societies to promote family history. Events like these help generate interest in genealogy, allow people to “kick the tires” and encourage them to join societies, and retain exisiting members.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society, the largest genealogy society in the US, has produced a list of activities (see below) for each day of October, and their ideas can be used by other societies around the world.
Your area doesn’t hold an organized event? No need to wait for a national, provincial or statewide initiative. Think about creating your own family history event. Your society can hold its own Family History Month, Week, Weekend, or Day.
You don’t have a library? Then think how you can use your website to promote genealogy.
Tip: Pick one of your most active days and invite media to cover the event. Remember to “stack” the room with plenty of people. Kids are always a good media draw.
There are plenty of ideas that are zero- to low-cost. Consider holding a different activity each day to generate momentum and a buzz. Remember to follow up with an email message to members and a notice on your website about what was achievement throughout the event.
- Ask the researchers. (Society volunteers can help visitors with their research.)
- Kids day.
- Girl Guides and/or Boy Scouts Day. (Invite a Girl Guide or Boy Scout troop to spend a morning or afternoon learning about family history. Good media photo op.)
- Free access to an online database. (Make one of your members only databases free to the public.)
- Volunteer day. (Recognize and celebrate your volunteers.)
- Free computer day. (Free instruction and access to subscription databases on your computers, such as Ancestry and Findmypast.)
- Discount offer on books.
- Discount on membership.
- Beginning genealogy class.
- Research your Irish ancestry seminar. (Scottish, English, Italian, Canadian, Quebec, American too.)
- Cemetery tour.
- Local archive tour.
There are plenty of other ideas in these resources:
New England Historic Genealogical Society. (Boston, Massachussetts.)
California Genealogical Society and Library. (Oakland, California.)
National Family History Month. (Australia.)
Ten Ways to Celebrate Family History Month. (About.com.)
October is Family History Month. (FamilySearch Blog.)
10 Ways to Celebrate Family History Month. (Geni Blog.)
Lots of good know-how available for inspiration.
Some great ideas here. I’m going to mark my calendar for November 22, “all things genealogy week.”
May I add this to your list? Come see our Macomb County Genealogy Group’s ideas on how to “celebrate” National Family History Month in the United States. Many of our ideas (we are in Michigan) can be done from home or at your local library. http://mcgg-letstalkgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/10/october-is-national-family-history.html
Very nice list of suggestions! When we collaborate and share ideas, I find we have many ideas to make our societies better for our members.