January 2, 2026
It’s January – the month that many people make New Year’s Resolutions. I’ve never been particularly inclined to make resolutions, but I’ve sometimes made genealogy resolutions. Some of them have helped me progress on my genealogical journey. Maybe they’ll help you too.
My first genealogy resolution is to talk to your older relatives. If you’re lucky enough to have grandparents, great aunts and uncles or older cousins, now is the time to get in touch with them. They have great stories to tell you, and they won’t be around forever.
If possible, visit your relatives in person. Older people often don’t get a lot of visitors, so come in person and bring a little treat that you know they like. Be ready to talk about whatever the relative wants to talk about. Gently lead the conversation to stories about the past. If you have old photos, bring them to help stir memories. Ask questions, but don’t be too demanding. Older people often tire quickly, so keep your visit short.
You probably won’t get exact dates from these conversations, so be prepared to verify what you learn through other sources such as newspaper articles, birth and death certificates. For example, my mother often told a story about her house being hit by lightning when she was young. When I asked when it happened, she could only say “when I was a kid.” Since Mom was born in 1925, I figured it must have happened sometime between about 1930 and 1940. Using that information, I turned to the local newspaper. Since they’re on Newspapers.com, it was easy to search for “lightning hits house.” I soon located an article describing the lightning strike and the damage it caused to my family’s home. The house was severely damaged, but no one was injured. No wonder my mother made us hide in the basement whenever a thunderstorm occurred.
If you can’t go in person, telephone calls are okay, but some older folks have hearing issues and don’t enjoy talking on the phone. Make sure they know who they’re talking to when you call and understand exactly how you fit into the family. Older folks are warned to suspect scams and may be hesitant to talk to you if they don’t recognize who you are.
I sometimes see genealogy questionnaires that are recommended for older relatives. As someone who is getting up there myself, I think sending someone you seldom or never see a detailed list of questions to fill in feels somewhat invasive. The questions often feel stilted and are difficult to answer. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by them.
Unless you’re sure the person you’re contacting enjoys filling out paperwork, I’d steer clear of the questionnaires. If you must use the questionnaires, use the questions to guide your conversation with your relative.
Even if your relatives don’t give you any specific genealogy information, their stories are worth remembering. Maybe you’ll learn about a divinity recipe that your great grandmother made every Christmas or learn that your great grandfather loved to eat stale Campfire marshmallows for dessert. You’ll remember that these relatives were real people – not just names on a genealogy chart. In addition, you may make an older person’s day, and that’s worth the effort of visiting or calling.
Happy visiting with your family this year.
Carol Stetser
Researcher
Larimer County Genealogical Society