National Roots Day & Beyond: Your Year-Round Journey to Discover Family History

Marcy Baez Lopez
Dec 23, 2022
6 min read

Updated: Jul 17

Discover Who You Are book cover, gold lettering on brown background — 22 December 2022, Marcy Bachelor @Inspired Visions Photography

Beyond National Roots Day: Celebrate your roots. Dig into your family history and share your story with future generations.

Family: The Roots of the Tree of Life

Celebrating National Roots Day, December 23rd — And Beyond!

December 23rd marks National Roots Day, a wonderful annual reminder to explore your unique heritage and connect with the generations that came before you. It's a day designed to inspire families to dig into their family tree and uncover the incredible stories within. But why stop there? The journey of discovering your own history and ancestry is a continuous one, rich with new findings to explore at any time of the year.

I've always loved celebrating this day and the opportunity it provides to connect with our past. In fact, you can read my original reflections on National Roots Day from my personal blog here: https://marcybachelor.wixsite.com/alifesjourney/post/national-roots-day

Now, let's dive into this updated and expanded guide on how you can make the most of National Roots Day and beyond, truly exploring your family's incredible story.

During this time of year, during the holiday season, provides the perfect opportunity to gather information. As families come together, it's an ideal moment for sharing stories, memories, and old photographs. When going through those precious albums, remember to scan, copy, and label the photos before those vital memories fade. Be sure to note specific names, places, and dates!

In most families, there's at least one designated family historian—it could be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin. They've likely already started your genealogy journey and will be more than willing to share what they know.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: In my own family, I proudly serve as the family historian! Currently, I have over 4,000 names recorded in my family tree.

How to Observe National Roots Day

Share on Social Media: Use the hashtag #NationalRootsDay on your posts to join the celebration.
Explore Your Own Roots: Begin looking into your family's history. (Suggested websites are listed at the end of this post.)
Share Stories: Pass on family stories to the younger generation—your children, nieces, nephews, and beyond.
Organize Photos: Take time to sort and preserve your family's photographic memories.
Interview Relatives: Especially interview the oldest generation. Encourage them to share family history by asking specific questions. Document their answers by recording audio or video if possible. Be prepared with the information you want to learn.

Suggested Tools for Your Interviews:

Something to write in: A notebook, writing pad, or loose paper.
A pencil or pen.
A device for recording: Your tablet, laptop, computer, or even your smartphone (for audio or video).
Your list of questions.
Your family tree chart/pedigree: A blank one if you're just starting, or filled in with what you already know.
Any stories you've heard and their known sources.
Photos: Especially those where you need help identifying unknown faces, places, or dates.

TIP: If relatives have additional photos you don't have, ask to make copies or scan them. You can easily take a picture with your phone or bring a portable scanner. These photos can be invaluable for identifying mystery faces in your own collection. As you learn about family members, remember to connect them to their personal stories.

Diving Deeper: Key Resources for Your Genealogical Journey

1. The National Archives

Exploring the Treasure Trove: The National Archives

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an unparalleled resource for genealogists. As the nation's record keeper, NARA holds billions of records, including:

Census Records: Vital for tracking families decade by decade, often providing names, ages, birthplaces, and more.
Military Records: From service files to pension applications, these can reveal details about ancestors' lives, movements, and family members.
Immigration and Naturalization Records: Passenger lists and naturalization papers are crucial for tracing immigrant ancestors, detailing origins and arrival information.
Land Records, Tax Records, and more: A vast array of government documents can shed light on your ancestors' lives, occupations, and communities.

While vast, NARA has regional facilities across the country, and many records are digitized and available online through their website or partner sites like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.

2. Family History Centers

Local Access to Global Records: Family History Centers

Operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Family History Centers (FHCs) are local branches of the world's largest genealogical library in Salt Lake City. They are open to the public and offer:

Free Access to Premium Resources: FHCs provide free, in-center access to many subscription genealogy websites that would otherwise require payment (like Ancestry.com's institutional version, MyHeritage, Findmypast, and more).
Microfilm and Microfiche Readers: While much is digitized, FHCs still provide access to microfilmed records that may not yet be online.
Expert Assistance: Volunteers, often experienced genealogists, are available to offer guidance and help you navigate research challenges.
Community and Classes: Many centers host workshops and classes, fostering a supportive learning environment.

FHCs are an invaluable free resource for both beginners and experienced researchers, making otherwise inaccessible records available in your local community.

3. Public Libraries and Their Benefits for Research

Your Local Gateway to the Past: Public Libraries

Don't underestimate your local public library! They are fantastic starting points and ongoing resources for genealogical research:

Local History Collections: Many libraries have dedicated local history rooms or sections with city directories, county histories, plat maps, yearbooks, local newspapers (often on microfilm), and published family histories relevant to their area.
Newspaper Archives: Access to digitized and physical newspaper collections can provide obituaries, marriage announcements, local news, and community insights.
Online Database Subscriptions: Like FHCs, many public libraries subscribe to premium genealogy databases that you can access for free with your library card (though typically within the library building or via remote login).
Interlibrary Loan (ILL): If a book you need is not at your library, you might be able to borrow it from another library through ILL.
Classes and Workshops: Some public libraries offer introductory genealogy classes or host local genealogy society meetings.

4. State Libraries (Compared to Public Libraries)

Stepping Up Your Research: State Libraries

While public libraries focus on local communities, State Libraries often hold more extensive and specialized collections critical for statewide genealogical research. They typically offer:

Extensive State-Specific Records: Large collections of state government publications, legislative records, historical newspapers from across the state, and comprehensive records for all counties within the state.
Manuscript Collections: Unique, unpublished materials like personal papers, diaries, and organizational records that are invaluable for context.
Published Family Histories & Genealogies: Often have vast collections of published genealogies relevant to families with roots in that state.
Specialized Staff: Librarians at state libraries are often experts in state history and genealogical resources, providing in-depth assistance.

Think of state libraries as a broader, deeper dive into records that span the entire state, whereas public libraries are excellent for very localized research.

5. Genealogical Societies

Connect & Collaborate: Genealogical Societies

Joining a genealogical society (local, regional, or ethnic) is one of the best moves any genealogist can make:

Expertise & Mentorship: Members often have deep knowledge of specific areas, record types, or ethnic research, and are usually eager to share.
Exclusive Resources: Many societies maintain their own unique libraries, indexes, and published materials not found elsewhere.
Networking & Support: Connect with others who share your passion, exchange tips, and get help with brick walls.
Educational Programs: Societies frequently host meetings, workshops, and conferences with expert speakers.
Research Projects: Many societies undertake projects to transcribe records, survey cemeteries, or index historical documents, offering ways to contribute and access new data.

Societies offer a vital community aspect, providing support, education, and access to unique resources.

May preserving your family history become your life's mission, and may you involve every generation, young and old, on this incredible journey. Share the battles and the victories you learn about your ancestors. Explore the obstacles they faced, how they overcame them, where they lived, and how they lived. Document their stories, and don't forget to share your own! Learning about our ancestors—their struggles, their accomplishments, their origins—helps us understand the combination of experiences that makes us who we are today.