For the past ten years or more it has been a requirement in my 6^th grade class for students to search out their family history back to their grandparents.

I started doing this project so that my students could see that they do not have to be famous to have a history.  Each family has some interesting history that may have been passed down through generations.

I also wanted them to compare the way things are done today with the way their parents and grandparents did things.  Some of the students go beyond the three generation requirement and discover many interesting things about their families.

Mrs. Southwick has had her students write a story about one of their ancestors or family member.  In recent years we have combined our efforts to make it even more interesting to our students.

This project is my favorite of the year, and I love learning from my students the wonderful things that they have discovered about their family’s past, especially their stories, traditions, celebrations, jobs, experiences, and so much more.

The last couple of years I have asked the students to find out how their parents and/or their grandparents met.  
During this project I tell my students about my life when I was in the sixth grade and all the things I did growing up.  Of course, I also tell them about how I met the little red-haired girl when she was nine years old when I was hired to work on her father’s farm.

The students love to hear about the way past generations lived and I enjoy telling them stories of my life and generations past to encourage them.

The reason I had the First Annual Family Heritage and History Fair at the Humboldt Museum was to give my students a chance to share what they have learned with others.

Our sixth graders are upstairs at French Ford Middle School so most people do not get a chance to see what they do.  Also, it was a chance to promote our museum and its new director, Dana Toth, and for the students, with their family, to see the changes at the museum. 

It also gave us teachers another chance to talk with parents and students in a relaxed atmosphere.

I would like to thank Paula Walker and Buddy Toth for setting up the student displays.  Dana Toth, for keeping the museum opened that night and helping me with some of the setting up, my wife, Sally, for helping me by baking cookies and of course,  Mrs. Dixie Southwick, for their support and help.

This was a successful venture, but without them I could not have pulled it off.  I plan to do it again next year.  I believe that many people get excited about learning of their past.

Mike Clark