4 week family history course! HELP needed

[Maths girl]

I must be mad -- I have volunteered to do a half hour lesson each week for 4 weeks for about 10 15-16 years olds on Family History -- they have picked this option so hopefully will be keen to be active rather than sit back and do nothing!

I just wondered whether anyone had any thoughts as to what to include --- the blurb said it would be an introduction to the skills and ideas required to start a tree so hopefully there will not be any that have got ready made trees back to the 15th century.

One specific question I had is whether anyone can start a tree on Ancestry adn work on it without paying a subscription?

[linell]

You can have two weeks free trial on Ancestry MG. I would get the Students to bring in any certificates there parents or grandparents may have..............good luck. Linell.

[snoopysue]

Yes, you can. Of course you have to have a log in etc, but you don't have to pay! I've just tried it, you don't have to sign up for the free trial (you have to give a credit card number for that). Try this link:
http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/pt/StartPed.aspx

What about giving them an idea what to ask grandparents etc, so they get as much info that way. And of course the need for documentation!

[Antie Em]

I do courses in our local library, where they have the Library Ancestry. I teach in the daytime, so it's mainly retired people. They love the discovering, but it's hard when your trying to teach family history alongside the rudiments of computer technology. I did have to ask a couple of people to enrol on a basic computer course first, otherwise time is wasted and the other pupils get a bit upset. You shouldn't have this problem though with young people. Libraries usually have a few computers now for viewing Ancestry, so perhaps you could book a couple just to show them how it works.

I also take them to the local archives and show them what they can find out from parish records and, although it is only local, the census on microfilm.

What I have found a bonus though is to set up all of your pupils a tree on tribal pages, they can then access it at home and get their parents to help with some names and dates. It's free and they can see their family grow.

And, like Lin says, get them to do some preparation with family certificates, names and dates etc. I have a sort of family sheet - with boxes to show their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and ask them to complete this before the second lesson.

I'm sure you love it - and you'll have a captive audience, not like some of us whose family aren't particularly interested and go glassy eyed over dinner when you mention your latest discovery.

[grangers14]

What I have found a bonus though is to set up all of your pupils a tree on tribal pages, they can then access it at home and get their parents to help with some names and dates. It's free and they can see their family grow.

I would say tribal pages too, its so easy to read and pleasing to the eye.

Oh I hope it goes well and good luck to you.
Jo

[Maths girl]

Thank you for the interest and suggestions so far

May I have a bit more info on setting up a Tribal page tree as I haven't done that yet -- can you include privacy on them as I am not sure with Under 18's I should be encouraging them to put on details that go into the public domain.

Computer access shouldn't be a problem -- as you say they will probably have more know how than I will and I can arrange to have the lessons with access to computers so ..

[Northern Lass]

all the details on an ancestry ones go in the indexes
even if you make it private.

so if someone is searching they can find the info on any of them

[gardener]

Can you assume that they will have ancesters in the UK census?

It might be worth looking at some of the stuff on the National Archives site too.

[Maths girl]

all the details on an ancestry ones go in the indexes
even if you make it private.

so if someone is searching they can find the info on any of them

But if you make the tree private no-one can access that without contacting you first and opening it up to you -- can they?

[Maths girl]

Can you assume that they will have ancesters in the UK census?

It might be worth looking at some of the stuff on the National Archives site too.

I had already thought about this given the area that I am in which it was why I put it that it would be the skills rather than definitely finding their actual ancestors.

I am hoping that in 4 weeks that they will get far enough to get them hooked but not so far as to outstrip my limited knowledge!

[Northern Lass]

all the details on an ancestry ones go in the indexes
even if you make it private.

so if someone is searching they can find the info on any of them

But if you make the tree private no-one can access that without contacting you first and opening it up to you -- can they?

that is correct

[Antie Em]

all the details on an ancestry ones go in the indexes
even if you make it private.

so if someone is searching they can find the info on any of them

But if you make the tree private no-one can access that without contacting you first and opening it up to you -- can they?

that is correct

Setting up on Tribal Pages is so easy. You just find a unique name for your tree and then follow the instructions.

I thought you had to have a subscription to Ancestry to have your tree there?

[SRD]

If your course is based on a specific school/college they may have space on their computer system to keep info on so it might be worth asking if the school would be prepared to invest in one of the software packages that are currently available.

[linell]

If your course is based on a specific school/college they may have space on their computer system to keep info on so it might be worth asking if the school would be prepared to invest in one of the software packages that are currently available.

Shouldn't be a problem, MG is the School's Maths Teacher, just doing your extra ciriculam aren't you MG

Linell.

[Northern Lass]

You don't need a subscription to set up a tree on ancestry

but with all these ones Genes Ances tribal check the small print as I think
there is a mimimum age not sure if under 16's allowed or even under 18's forget what it said