Memorial day – Family Locket

Should We Honor Confederate Ancestors on Memorial Day?

May 27, 2017

‘Flags-In’ at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day 2008 by The U.S. Army at Flikr Many of my 4th and 5th great uncles died while serving in the Confederacy. This is difficult because I vehemently oppose the Confederacy’s ideals and what they were fighting for. I condemn their way of life and how they built their economy on the backs of enslaved people. I abhor their plan to rebel against my beloved country to continue...

Memorial Day Poppies and Remembrance Wreaths

May 25, 2017

For family history storytime this week we read The Wall by Eve Bunting and did two crafts to remember relatives who fought for our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Poppies First, we made poppy flowers. I found a Canadian book telling about the poppy flower and how it has come to be a memorial to fallen soldiers. Poppies were first used to remember soldiers after WWI. They grow in fields that have recently been plowed or...

“The Wall” by Eve Bunting – Kids Memorial Day Book + Activities

May 5, 2017

For our Kid’s Book club this month, we are reading The Wall by Eve Bunting. As a history teacher, I loved talking with my students about the origination and history behind the holidays we celebrate. Although for many of us, Memorial Day is just a day off and a time for vacationing, it can be a valuable tool for teaching children to honor and remember those who died in our country’s service. I’m still planning exactly how...

Making a Military Memorial

May 29, 2016

How much do you know about the military service of your family members? Do you wonder about the events that shaped their lives? How can you honor their sacrifice? In the next few weeks we have several opportunities to consider their part in preserving our country’s freedom: Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. Like most World War II veterans, my dad didn’t talk much of his war experiences. When he passed away five years ago, all...

The Honor Roll Project: Tucson, Arizona

May 27, 2016

When Heather Rojo of Nutfield Genealogy posted about contributing to the Honor Roll Project earlier this month, I knew it would be the perfect way for our family to celebrate Memorial Day this year. Heather started the project in 2010. Now every Memorial Day and Veterans Day she encourages people to photograph and transcribe war memorials in their area to contribute to The Honor Roll Project website. Publishing the transcriptions of names from the honor rolls online make...

8 Tips for Planning a Family History Memorial Day Road Trip

May 24, 2016

Memorial Day is coming up. Although the purpose of Memorial Day is honoring those who have died in the service of our country, many Americans visit memorials and cemeteries on Memorial Day for other ancestors too. Last year I received this email from FamilySearch.org before Memorial Day: “Your Ancestor is featured in a memorial page” email You can sign in to the FamilySearch Memorial Page and see your ancestors’ headstones plotted on a map (at least those that are connected...