When a busy parent wants to bring their children to a Kid Friendly Venue it may not be a local graveyard that is foremost in their mind! But....there are surprises to this blog. Don't dismiss it yet. The suggestion has its merits; it is a journey into the past for sure but it can be very exciting and a huge learning curve for any young child. I am talking about genealogy and the learning experience of finding relatives and other family members. Within the safe walls free from traffic, bicycles and noise, children can wander and search for names, discover ornate statues, play at hide-and-seek, run with their dog, take photographs and smell the flowers. The secret ingredient in this adventure is the excitement of anticipated treasure to find because of a previous fun thing to do...a DNA test to find out your family heritage.

DNA testing has become a popular way of researching one's personal ancestry. With the use of specialized kits, people are able to test their own DNA and compare it with others who have similar results. This allows them to discover more about their ancestors and trace their family history.

I like to think of DNA discovery as a modern day version of the hobby of genealogy. No longer do you have to spend days and months digging into old musty books or browsing the internet for records. The young children of today can be introduced to the exciting world of science instead. The learn about their DNA and then they learn of their ancestors who have passed away with a follow-up visit to a graveyard that contains someone to whom they are related.

Step One: DNA

DNA kits for genealogy are available from a variety of different retailers. Some of the most popular kits are sold by 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA, and MyHeritage DNA. All of these companies offer reliable testing services and provide detailed results to aid in uncovering family history.

DNA genealogical tests can provide a great deal of useful information about an individual's past. Depending on the specific test being done, results can indicate where your ancestors may have come from, and how much of certain ethnic backgrounds are present in your DNA.

In addition to the results you receive from a genealogical test, some companies also offer the ability to link your results with existing databases or other sources of information. For example, AncestryDNA allows users to connect their results to ancestry.com which provides access to billions of historical documents such as birth and marriage certificates and census records. This can be an invaluable tool that helps people make more sense of their family history and uncover new facts about their ancestors.

Explaining DNA profiles to children can be complicated but it is important to help them understand the basics. It is important to explain that DNA testing does not reveal any personal data such as a person's name or address, and that the results of the test are anonymous.

It can be helpful to use simple analogies when talking about DNA profiles. For example, you could explain it in terms of a house: each house has a unique “blueprint” or plan that determines its structure and appearance. Similarly, each person has a unique DNA profile that makes them who they are, but it does not reveal personal information.

Overall, explaining DNA profiles to children is an important part of helping them understand their own identity and the general science behind genealogy research. It can help give them a better understanding of how their DNA works and why it is so helpful in researching family history.

Step Two: Visiting a Grave

Visiting a family grave can bring about many emotions, but it can also be very beneficial for children. It's important to explain why you are visiting the grave and what it means to your family.

It's essential to educate children on their heritage, and visiting a family grave is an excellent way of doing so. Make sure they understand that the people at the grave were loved and respected while they were alive. Take time to explain about their life, job, hobbies, or anything else that was important to them.

Make sure to take flowers or other memorabilia with you to the grave as a way of honoring your family member's life. Explain that the items left behind are a reminder of how much our loved ones meant to us and why we should continue to honor their memory even after they have passed away.

It's also a good opportunity to talk about death in general. Depending on the age of your children, you can discuss how we remember people who have passed away and why it's so important for us to remember them.

Visiting a family grave should be a solemn, yet positive experience. When children understand the importance and significance of visiting the grave, it can help create meaningful memories for them that they will carry with them for years to come.

Finally, don't forget to take pictures! Not only is this a great way to remember the visit but also a wonderful way to show your children in years to come how important the people in your family were.

Barbara B