Genealogy Merit Badge Pre- Work

· Read the Merit Badge booklet. Bring it with you to class.

· Requirement 2a – Prepare a timeline and biography. Bring this to class with you. The biography should be 1 or 2 paragraphs in length.

· Requirement 3 – Do the interview. Bring your notes from the Interview to class. Note this can be a relative or a family acquaintance. What did you learn?

o If you are having trouble coming up with questions to ask, check out the site at: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865595932/Genealogy-150-questions-to-ask-family-members-about-their-lives.html . Do Not ask “Tell me everything about your family” - it will turn people off. Also do Not ask all 150 questions on this list – only a few of them.

· Requirement 4b – Find and bring with you to class a genealogical document (or a copy). (If you need help figuring out what qualifies, contact me at eaglescout.roy@cox.net beforehand.)

· Requirement 5 – If you are able and with the permission of your parent or guardian, contact one of the listed individuals or institutions and bring with you to the Merit Badge Day class your report on what you learned. If you are not able to do so, don’t worry. Requirement 5 can be done in class during the Merit Badge Day.

· Requirements 6 and 7 - If you already have one or both of these from another project (such as school or church) or from your parents, bring it to class.

We will do requirements 1, 4a, 4c, 6, 7, 8, and 9 in class. We will go over your homework for requirements 2a, 3, 4b, 6, and 7 in class.

Optional: The worksheet and forms at http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Genealogy.pdf may be helpful to you as you organize your thoughts. Using the worksheet is not a requirement.

Genealogy Merit Badge Requirements

1. Explain to your counselor what the words genealogy, ancestor, and descendant mean.

2. Do ONE of the following:

a. Create a time line for yourself or for a relative. Then write a short biography based on that time line.

b. Keep a journal for six weeks. You must write in it at least once a week.

3. With your parent’s help, choose a relative or a family acquaintance you can interview in person, by telephone, or by email or letter. Record the information you collect so you do not forget it.

4. Do the following:

a. Name three types of genealogical resources and explain how these resources can help you chart your family tree.

b. Obtain at least one genealogical document that supports an event that is or can be recorded on your pedigree chart or family group record. The document could be found at home or at a government office, religious organization, archive, or library.

c. Tell how you would evaluate the genealogical information you found for requirement 4b.

5. Contact ONE of the following individuals or institutions. Ask what genealogical services, records, or activities this individual or institution provides, and report the results:

a. A genealogical or lineage society

b. A professional genealogist (someone who gets paid for doing genealogical research)

c. A surname organization, such as your family’s organization

d. A genealogical educational facility or institution

e. A genealogical record repository of any type (courthouse, genealogical library, state or national archive, state library, etc.)

6. Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this requirement by using the chart provided in this pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice.

7. Complete a family group record form, listing yourself and your brothers and sisters as the children. On another family group record form, show one of your parents and his or her brothers and sisters as the children. This requirement may be completed using the chart provided or the genealogy software program of your choice.

8. Do the following:

a. Explain the effect computers and the Internet are having on the world of genealogy.

b. Explain how photography (including microfilming) has influenced genealogy.

9. Discuss what you have learned about your family and your family members through your genealogical research

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Genealogy (AM)