Organize a special lunch and scapbooking party. Invite nearby relatives to bring old photos and keepsakes, then share and swap information. Turning family history into a family event will encourage everyone to get involved in the project.

Branch Out and Explore
At some point, you’ll need to do some research on your own. Find out what’s available outside of your family’s immediate sphere. Libraries and genealogical societies collect published family histories, old newspapers and other research materials.

Don’t be scared of technology. The Internet is an excellent source for family history information. Ancestry.com’s World Tree, for example, contains millions of names submitted by fellow researchers.

If you’re uncomfortable with a computer, sign up for an Internet beginners’ class. Invite parents, children or spouses to attend these classes with you. You may unwittingly encourage others to start family history projects of their own.

Share and Preserve
After you’ve completed a good portion of your research, sort through the memorabilia you’ve collected. Take the prettier pieces (like moth-eaten letters and greeting cards) and organize them into a home display. Several frame shops specialize in shadowbox displays and other ways to preserve precious documentation.

Consider organizing displays by theme – a collection of World War II clippings for example. Choose frames and matte colors that complement the era you’re trying to evoke.

Take the rough draft of your actual family tree and rework it into something beautiful. Local artists are often willing to transform computerized documents into works of art – often painted or embroidered.

One way or another, be sure to show off your handiwork. Remember that you’ll want a tangible heirloom to pass on to children and grandchildren. Whether it’s a scrapbook, shadowbox or elaborate family tree, a material collection of your efforts will be appreciated for decades to come.