Passing on Family Memories Handout 2 - Family Chronology Activity Sean Brotherson Family Science Specialist What is a family chronology? What materials will you need? A family chronology is a list of historical events You may put together a family chronology using arranged in the time sequence in which they copies of the chronology sheet provided as an occurred. A chronology is a very useful tool in example. You also may use 3-inch by 5-inch cards to passing on individual or family memories. It also can record your information and organize it. be a valuable part of a family history. How do you record the Why should you create information and memories? a family chronology? Focus on developing a chronology that records Putting together a chronology is among the your personal and family life experiences through easiest ways to pass on family memories. It is a time from birth to the present. Entries can be short good place to begin such a task. It is a simple and descriptions of three or four sentences. Record the straightforward process. It has a clear-cut beginning information as follows: — birth — and an obvious end — the present. Most • The date – Write the date of a specifi c memory, people who wish to pass on memories probably event or experience in the corner of a card or should begin by compiling a chronology. It is helpful chronology sheet. because: • The event – Write on each card or chronology entry • Compiling a chronology causes you to review the one single event or memory in your life that you main events in your life that you wish to pass on. wish to pass on – any experience that affected your • Associations are renewed and strengthened as life in a signifi cant or memorable way. others cooperate to help you create a chronology. Sample entries might look • A chronology will help you come to view your life in something like this: a clearer perspective. • A chronology will help you be more historically precise in passing on memories. September 1960 - I enrolled at Memorial • A chronology will help you be more focused as you consider passing on family memories. Elementary School and attended sixth grade. My class was team taught by Mr. Rosenberg, Mr. Kazman and Mrs. Donovan. March 1964 - I was elected as secretary of the 10th-grade class in high school. Fargo, North Dakota 58105 August 2007 NDSU is an equal opportunity institution. Entries for Family Chronology Birth Date and Place A Summer Memory in Childhood Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Birth of Younger Sibling A Memorable Family Activity Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Birth of Younger Sibling A Memorable Family Vacation Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Important Religious Events in Childhood An Award or Achievement in Childhood Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Going to School for the First Time My Participation in Sports Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Memory of First Birthday Experience An Important School Experience Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Completion of School A Meaningful Job Experience Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Going on My First Date A Meaningful Job Experience Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Courtship and Engagement Birth of My First Child Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ My Wedding Birth of Another Child Date ____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________