Helping children appreciate their heritage

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but I thought this article important, "Family culture deserves appreciation, celebration," especially for young people who have yet to appreciate their heritage. We might want to consider ways to engage young people at an earlier age, instead of its taking until they are all grown up. 

Here are some ideas:

• Serving traditional foods, as the article shows
• Sharing family stories -- everyone loves the stories
• Displaying family photos on display showing, which might include something like the immigrant ancestor's ship, which can often be found on the Internet
• Attending cultural festivals
• Participating in family reunions, maybe encouraging presentation, plays, or enactments of heritage
• Sharing books and art about/from your culture
• Helping children keeping a scrapbook

Of course, there is a fine line between helping children appreciate their heritage and making them feel "different" from their peers, so there is a balance. Adoptive parents often face this dilemma and many articles are written on the subject.

One article on helping Jewish children appreciate their culture suggests, "at home, the most important thing is modeling. Modeling for our children our own attachment to, and reverence for" their cultural heritage. That is the best advice.

Genealogy of Communites: Intentional Communities in the Next Century

In the final article of her Genealogy of Communities series, Judy Rosella Edwards explores communities of the recent past and looks to the future: "Genealogy of Communities: Intentional Communities in the Next Century." One point made was the increase in international and cross-cultural marriages brought about during wartime; locating ancestors in war-torn and unstable countries is and will continue to be a challenge. The article also asks the question of how genealogists will manage the research of ancestors whose choices and philosophies might differ from their own. Many of these questions we are already addressing and apply to all generations and all time periods, although the new challenges are sure to bring about new and exciting genealogical and technological innovations. This has been an informative series with ideas for researching in many directions.

Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles: The Knomenclature of Knights

In her most recent article on language, Jean Hibben explores the "Knomenclature of Knights," as always with a few surprises. We think of knights, the age of chivalry and rescuing damsels in distress, as the pinnacle of masculinity. But some very feminine words and accouterments derive from these knights of old.

Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles, Part 2

If you feel like you have "too many irons in the fire" this Christmas season, you're not alone. But what does it all mean? In her second of two articles, "Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles: Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch, Part 2," Jean Wilcox Hibben explores the occupational foundations for some of our everyday expressions, many originating with the town blacksmith.

Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles: Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

GenWeekly would like to welcome its newest writer, Jean Wilcox Hibben. Jean has published widely, and we are pleased to have her as part of the GenWeekly staff. In her first GenWeekly article, "Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles: Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch," Jean shares with us the historical origins of some everyday terms we take for granted.

The Arts in New Orleans

Continuing her series on New Orleans, in "The Arts in New Orleans," Judy Rosella Edwards reminds us of the great traditions in entertainment that take their roots from New Orleans and its diverse population. The article sheds light on researching ancestors who may have been among the many performers who came and went in New Orleans.

New Orleans Revisited

Next month is the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating hurricanes in the history of the United States. New Orleans has always been a fascinating city, with a rich history and cultural heritage. In her article, "New Orleans Revisted: Early Occupations," Judy Rosella Edwards begins a series exploring the city's historical and genealogical roots.