10 Sneaky Tricks to Get Your Family Hooked on Genealogy

Ever tried getting your family excited about genealogy? Yeah, good luck with that. It’s like convincing a cat to take a bath—almost impossible. But what if I told you there’s a way to trick them into loving it?

We’re not talking about boring family tree charts or endless hours in dusty archives. No, we’re talking about turning genealogy into something so fun, they won’t even realize they’re doing research.

Here are 10 sneaky ways to get your family on board without them even knowing. Ready to turn family history into a game? Let’s dive in.

1. Host a “Mystery Ancestor” Dinner

Imagine this: You invite your family over for what seems like a regular dinner, but with a twist—they all must come dressed as a mysterious ancestor.

You hand out invitations that include vague descriptions of the ancestor each person must portray. Maybe Aunt Karen is a Victorian ghost, Uncle Bob is a medieval knight, and Cousin Lisa is a 1920s flapper. The goal? For everyone to guess who each other’s ancestor is by the end of the night.

Goal: Spark curiosity and laughter as your family tries to guess who everyone is pretending to be. This not only makes the evening fun but also subtly encourages everyone to learn more about their own genealogy.

Tips:

• Provide Clues: Include a few interesting facts about the ancestor’s life on each invitation. For example, “Your ancestor was known for his love of gardening,” or “She was famous for her homemade apple pie.”
• Share Discoveries Over Dessert: After the main course, reveal who everyone was supposed to be. Encourage each person to share what they’ve learned about their character’s life. This naturally leads to more conversations about family history and genealogy.
• Costume Simplicity: Don’t make the costumes too complicated. The idea is to have fun, not stress over finding period-appropriate attire. A few props or accessories can do the trick.

2. Launch a “Family Detective” Game Night

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Turn genealogy into a detective game night, where each family member plays the role of a detective trying to solve a “case” about an ancestor.

Create scenarios where they have to find out specific details about a long-lost relative—like what job they had, where they lived, or who their siblings were. The catch? They have to use real genealogical resources to find the answers.

Goal: Make genealogy research feel like solving an exciting mystery, turning what might seem like a chore into a game.

Tips:

• Create Detective Kits: Hand out simple kits with magnifying glasses, notepads, and maybe even a detective hat. These little touches add to the atmosphere and make the game more immersive.
• Set Up Clues: Prepare some easy-to-find clues, like an old census record or a family photograph. This way, even those who are less experienced in genealogy won’t feel overwhelmed.
• Offer a Prize: Reward the “best detective” with a quirky prize. It could be something related to genealogy, like a vintage family photo or an old map. Or, keep it light-hearted with a trophy labeled “Best Family Detective.”

3. Organize a “Genealogy Bake-Off”

Food has a unique way of connecting us to our roots. So why not use it to sneak in some genealogy?

Challenge your family to a bake-off where each participant must make a traditional family recipe. The twist? They also need to share a story about the ancestor who passed down the recipe.

Goal: Connect through food while sneaking in some family history lessons.

Tips:

• Recipe Origins: Ask participants to dig a little deeper into the origins of the recipe. Where did it come from? Why was it significant to that ancestor? This adds a layer of historical context that turns a simple baking competition into a mini-history lesson.
• Ancestral Tales: Award bonus points for the best ancestral tale. Maybe someone’s dish was inspired by Great-Grandma’s adventures in the old country, or perhaps a recipe was brought over on the Mayflower. The more detailed and colorful the story, the better.
• Taste and Story Judging: Make the judging two-fold—one part taste, one part storytelling. This ensures that even if someone’s dish isn’t a culinary masterpiece, they can still win by sharing a compelling piece of family history.

4. Kidnap Their Phones for a “Digital Detox”

Let’s face it—getting anyone to focus on something other than their phone these days is a challenge. But what if you turned this into an opportunity?

Propose a digital detox day with a twist: The only tech allowed is what’s needed for genealogy research. No social media, no texting—just pure, uninterrupted family history time.

Goal: Encourage family members to unplug and connect with their roots, without the distractions of modern technology.

Tips:

• Make It a Challenge: Turn it into a friendly competition. Whoever finds the most interesting ancestor during the detox wins a reward. Maybe a dinner at their favorite restaurant, or even an hour of tech time all to themselves.
• Genealogy Tools Only: Introduce everyone to genealogy apps or websites they can use during the detox. This helps those who are less familiar with genealogy get comfortable with the tools.
• Plan a Fun Reward: For those who might resist, sweeten the deal with a fun reward at the end. It could be something as simple as a family movie night or a special dessert. The key is to make the experience enjoyable, not restrictive.

5. Create a “Family Tree Meme” Contest

Who doesn’t love a good meme? Tap into meme culture to make genealogy relatable and fun for everyone.

Set up a contest where everyone has to create the funniest family tree meme. The memes should highlight quirks, stories, or traits of their ancestors, but with a humorous twist.

Goal: Use humor to make genealogy relatable and engaging, especially for younger family members who might not be as interested in family history.

Tips:

• Meme Examples: Share a few examples to get the creative juices flowing. For instance, a meme of an old family photo with a caption like, “When you realize Great-Grandpa was the original hipster.”
• Group Chat Voting: Once the memes are created, share them in a family group chat and let everyone vote on the funniest one. The winner gets a silly prize—like a “Meme Master” certificate or a goofy trophy.
• Encourage Sharing: Encourage everyone to share their memes on social media. It’s a fun way to get others interested in the family’s genealogy without being too serious.

6. Conduct “Ancestral Karaoke” Night

Who says genealogy can’t be musical? Combine history with entertainment by hosting an “Ancestral Karaoke” night.

The catch? Song choices must relate to family stories or specific ancestors. For example, if your great-grandparents were known for dancing the Charleston, someone could perform a 1920s jazz number.

Goal: Combine music and history for a night of entertainment and education.

Tips:

• Creative Song Choices: Encourage participants to get creative with their song choices. Maybe someone performs “Sweet Home Alabama” if they’ve got Southern roots, or “Bohemian Rhapsody” if their ancestor had a flair for the dramatic.
• Performance Awards: Hand out prizes for the best performances—“Most Historically Accurate,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Overall Performance.” This adds a layer of fun competition and gets everyone more invested.
• Share Ancestral Facts: Between performances, take a few minutes to share interesting facts about the related ancestors. It’s a great way to mix fun with a bit of learning.

7. Plan a “Time Traveler’s Picnic”

Take your family on a culinary journey through time with a “Time Traveler’s Picnic.”

Each family member brings a dish from a different historical period—preferably one tied to your family’s heritage. Not only do you get to enjoy a variety of foods, but it’s also a fun way to learn about different eras of your family’s past.

Goal: Travel through time with your taste buds while learning about different eras of your family history.

Tips:

• Historical Dishes: Provide a few recipe suggestions from different time periods. For example, a medieval stew, a Victorian tea cake, or a dish from the Great Depression era. The more variety, the better.
• Era Facts: Encourage everyone to share a fun fact about the time period their dish represents. Maybe something like, “This dish was popular during the Renaissance because it used easily stored ingredients.”
• Period Dress: For added fun, suggest that everyone dress in attire inspired by their chosen era. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just a hat, scarf, or even a themed accessory can add to the atmosphere.

8. Share “Ancestry Awards” at Family Gatherings

Everyone loves awards, especially when they’re a little tongue-in-cheek. So, why not create some humorous awards for your ancestors?

Think “Most Likely to Start a Revolution,” “Best Beard in the Family,” or “Greatest Travel Enthusiast.” Present these awards at family gatherings, and use them as a way to celebrate your ancestors’ quirks and achievements.

Goal: Celebrate your ancestors in a lighthearted way, making family history fun and memorable.

Tips:

• Creative Categories: Get creative with the award categories. The more unique, the better. Try categories like “Most Likely to Have a Secret Family” or “Best Old-Timey Name.”
• DIY Trophies: Make simple DIY trophies using items like mini plaques, old photos, or even repurposed trinkets. The awards don’t need to be fancy—just something fun and personal.
• Nomination Process: Before the gathering, ask family members to nominate their favorite ancestor for each category. This gets everyone involved and adds an element of surprise to the awards ceremony.

9. Host a “Genealogy Jeopardy” Night

Turn your family’s love for trivia into a genealogy event with a “Genealogy Jeopardy” night.

Create categories based on family history and genealogy—like “Famous Ancestors,” “Family Migrations,” or “Old Occupations.” Set it up just like

the classic game show, with points and answers that require a question.

Goal: Make learning about ancestors competitive and fun, engaging the whole family in the process.

Tips:

• Customized Questions: Use family photos, old documents, or heirlooms as visual aids. For example, “This photo shows a family member who worked as a blacksmith—who was he?”
• Team Play: Divide the family into teams to encourage collaboration. This way, everyone contributes their knowledge, and it feels less like an individual competition.
• Jeopardy Board: Create a simple Jeopardy board using poster boards or digital tools. It adds an element of authenticity and makes the game more interactive.

10. Turn Family Stories into a “Tall Tales” Contest

We all have those family stories that seem a little too good to be true. Why not lean into that with a “Tall Tales” contest?

Challenge your family members to take a real family story and embellish it into a tall tale. The more outrageous, the better. Award a prize for the most creative, entertaining story.

Goal: Encourage storytelling while uncovering real family history, all wrapped in a humorous package.

Tips:

• Record the Tales: Record each tale as it’s told, and later compare it to the actual historical facts. This adds an extra layer of fun, as everyone sees how far the truth can be stretched.
• Truth vs. Fiction: After each story, have a short discussion about what was true and what was exaggerated. This way, you still get to learn about your family history while having a laugh.
• Creative Rewards: Offer a prize for the “Tallest Tale,” like a silly trophy or a certificate declaring the winner as the family’s “Master Storyteller.”

Final Thoughts

Genealogy doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity and a sense of humor, you can turn family history research into an engaging and fun activity for everyone. These ideas not only help you dig deeper into your roots but also create lasting memories with your loved ones.

So go ahead—trick your family into genealogy research, and watch as they unexpectedly get hooked on their own history.