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Classroom Practice/Program

in specific information, particularly as related to time and place, direct
them toward census records, naturalization and immigration records,
and military databases. Remind students to keep a record of resource
searches so efforts are not duplicated. Encourage students to share
particularly good resource information. Again, sharing generates respect
as students give and receive as well as benefit from what is provided.
All the above student resources are also available to you as you do your own
genealogical work. However, you may wish to include commercial programs
for your computer and research sites in your array of
options. Personally, I periodically use Ancestry (they
have special pricing several times a year), and, because I
work on a MAC, I use Reunion. There are many options.
I have also used online sites that offer a free start to begin
a tree and then charge when you reach a certain point in
numbers of people on your tree. I have started several of
these and just hold in place rather than pay. Genealogy
can be costly if you are not vigilant. Select carefully.
The most fun I’ve had working on my family tree is
traveling. I have traveled to several states and counties doing
family research along the way. Know that if you are traveling and intending to
do some genealogy, inquire ahead of time for permissions to access collections.
Although some repositories will let you register onsite, others will need time to
process your request for access. Last, I could not conclude a section on resources
without mentioning The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have
been there several times, and each time it has been well worth the visit.

Conclusion
Genealogy really has no concluding point. Genealogy research
is an ongoing, lifelong process. After the initial lessons or units are
completed, encourage students to continue on their own, keeping a
notebook or chart of their newly found information. When a spare
moment happens in class, ask for a quick genealogy research update.
As commonalities occur in class—everything from liking the same
book to getting all the answers correct on a test—encourage making note of
each group that has something in common. Common ground helps maintain
respect for the class group. Respect has to begin somewhere. Let genealogy
be the beginning of the development of respect among your students.

Susan J. Grosse, a member of Delta Chapter, is a past president of Wisconsin State Organization.
Her teaching career took place in three interesting and somewhat unusual schools: F. J. Gaenslen
School (K-12 Orthopedic), Morris Middle School for the Gifted and Talented, and the Milwaukee High
School of the Arts. All were part of the Milwaukee Public School System. Her position at retirement
was Curriculum Coordinator at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts. sjgrosse@execpc.com

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