Start Your Family’s Genealogical Journey
Ask Granny(c) was created as a simple way for anyone to start recording their family history. We believe that capturing a family’s names, places and stories is an irreplaceable a gift another can give to their loved ones. We have included all of the materials and easy instructions for you. All you need to do is start!
What is Ask Granny?
Ask Granny is a simple program to help people get started recording what they know about their families. It can be a one time exercise for an older person to write down what they remember, a way for younger people to hear about their families from older relatives or a jumping off point for someone to begin a genealogical journey.
The two documents that can be completed as part of Ask Granny are:
- Family Tree: also called a Pedigree Chart, this is an outline of one person’s direct ancestors, with information about where and when they lived. It provides a “Big Picture” view of an individual’s family line.
- Family Record Chart: this form focuses on one family unit, that is a husband, wife and their children with more detail about their life events. It is a useful way to organize information, track sources of information and go a step deeper than what’s on your Family Tree.
Create a Genealogical Gift for your Family
Recording your memories for your family is a wonderful gift and Ask Granny is an easy way to get started. It can also be the first step into researching the history of your family and gathering genealogical records that you already have or can find online. Complete the information in this chart and you’ll be off to a great start!
To help you get started, we have this student handbook with some tips and instructions on completing your Family Tree.
Go Deeper: Family Group Records
Your Family Tree shows your direct ancestors, but what about your other relatives, like aunts, brothers and cousins? Family Group Records are a useful way to record and organize more details about your family and to keep track of your sources of information. Each Family Group Record includes a husband, wife and their children with as many facts about their lives as possible. They are a great way to help you better understand how people are related, distinguish between relatives with the same or similar names and take the next step in your genealogical journey!
Organize a Workshop
Ask Granny(c) workshops have been held throughout the world in community centers, retirement communities, schools, churches, and synagogues. Below are all the instructions and materials you need to plan, organize and lead a workshop to help people start building their family tree.
The first part of the Presentation covers the Family Tree and the second part explains the Family Group Record. Often, workshops cover only the first part. We strongly recommend having 2 sessions if you want to cover the entire presentation.
2025-09-28
Research Lab
Burgettstown PA
Details
Workshop Materials
Instructor’s Guide
Presentation
Get your Kids Involved!
Did you know that children who grow up knowing about their families have greater self esteem and more resilience?
Ask Granny is a fabulous way to teach your children about your family’s stories and and it’s a fun way for them to interact with their grandparents and other family members. You can do it together as a family project or classes and camps can use this template as a homework project. It can be especially fun over holidays like Thanksgiving and Hanukkah and other occasions when families typically gather.
We’ve created a worksheet to help elementary school children interview family members.
Magna Genealogy 