UWRT 1103 Family Tree Project

This project will help us to place ourselves within a wider framework, more specifically, to see how we,
and our families, play roles within a regional, national and global context. This will help us come to a
better understanding of what has happened to our own families over time and to see how we fit within
the framework of our nation. Your heritage helps to make you what you are today; our collective
heritage creates our nation. I encourage you to talk to as many people as you wish to glean this
information. The research that you do will be original and it will be messy. The detail that you are able
to discover also varies. Some families you could cover in enormous detail, where the information for
other family members will be vague or non-existent. You may let your own personal criteria or interest
drive your research. This research and investigation should lead you to more places than just the
internet; try looking through libraries, dusty books and old musty photo albums. Be a careful critical
reader to uncover as much as you can. Often the connections made via the Internet have led to visits to
ancestors homesteads and residences, even meeting new family members and exchanging family
history information. As with all research of this nature, the more you learn, the less you know. And the
more you learn, the more you want to share.
Your initial task is to find out as much as possible about your family, going back as many generations as
you find information. With this information you will complete a Visual and Written project. For the
purpose of this assignment, you may choose to research either your mothers or your fathers side. Just
investigate one side to avoid over-complicating this assignment.

Visual component: Family trees are visual representations of who we are, and where we come
from. We can learn about the diverse backgrounds of our peers, and gain a deeper understanding of that
diversity. Learning to understand your unique background is valuable and will help you to understand
how unique you are. Prepare a total of ten screens/pages of digital visual representation showing as
much information as you can locate about your parents, grandparents and previous generations. You may
include: photographs, names, birth-dates and places of birth, dates of death, names of spouses, dates of
marriage, children born, and even occupation. You will present your ten (10) slides to the class. You can
use any digital format that you wish including: excel spread sheet, word, power point, or other
programs. To help you create a solid visual component, follow the rules below:
Include a family name title screen (can be as unique as you wish)
Make sure images are clear (as much as you can) and images are identified
One screen should show a tree of sorts, with your position in the family clearly
displayed
Include images that you obtained from: websites, photographs, newspapers,
magazines, government records, census documents or memorials
Images should span at least four (4) generations
Images should support what you have discovered or you want to report about your
family

Written component:

As important as a visual representation of your family is, the written narrative is

equally important. Sharing important family stories is one way to make sure that they never are forgotten.
Working with family members allows us to preserve our family history. This project is certainly a way to bring

family members, news and information together in this source. It is also a way to help others learn from the
family history research techniques that are used in this project.

In a series of paragraphs, telling your story, describe your familys background. You must incorporate
the rules below and include interesting information about your family. Use sources to explain parts of
your family history that may not be clear to every reader. Or, use the sources to define key terms or
concepts for your reader. This portion should be no less than three (3) written pages. To help you
integrate just the right amount of your family history and resources, follow the rules below:
Add/incorporate at least three (3) sources to your story
Include at least one interview with a family member.
Include at least two (2) of the five (5) elements below and expand your explanation as needed:
1. Your country of origin, including your ancestors reasons for leaving
2. The capital city and other details about the country, city or area where your family came from
3. The probable route that your family took in coming to the United States, including the type of
transportation used (boat, airplane, etc.)
4. Any immigration difficulties incurred
5. Your familys first place of residence and any subsequent residences
Include one (1) of the following elements below:
1. Jobs or positions held in community
2. Illnesses, medical problems, genetic problems
3. Political affiliations
4. Military service
Include one (1) of the following elements below:
1. Awards or honors received by any family member
2. Hobbies or interests
3. Automobiles, special tools or equipment owned by family members
Directions for paper documents/digital documents on turn in day:
1. Reflection (completed in class)
2. Final Written Project due in class
3. Peer Reviewed copy due in class
4. Any process related work due in class
5. Submit the digital portion to Canvas.
Here are some helpful websites to use:
Onegreatfamily.com
Genealogy.about.com (templates)
Ancestry.com (14 day free trial)
Archives.com (7 days free access)
Findagrave.com (templates)

About.com
AfriQuest.com
Myheritage.com
Familysearach.org

*See me if you will have trouble completing this

project and we will discuss some alternatives.

Rootsweb.ancestry.com
Ancientfaces.com
Usgwarchives.net