In the Broadway musical, "The Lion King", Mufasa says to Simba "They Live In You, They Live In Me, They're Watching Over Everything We See".  Mufasa tells Simba that "the great kings of the past look down on us...so whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you.  And so will I"

Who are your "great kings and queens" of the past?  Although each family has a unique structure and history, it can offer insights and connections to the past and those who have come before us.  Simba grows up when he honors the past and respects those who preceded him.

There are many ways to link to your past:

Family interviews: Using a tape recorder (or recorder on your iPad or tablet, or phone...or even good old paper and pencil) or taking notes, interview members of your immediate family (parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.)  Encourage them to recount stories about their lives and your family history.  In addition, be sure to ask informational questions such as birth date, place of birth or how many family members they can name.

A good resource for family trees is the Ellis Island Genealogy Learning Center (www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/geneolody_getting_started.asp)  Ellis Island is the island in New York Harbor where millions of immigrants came to the United States.  Today it serves as an immigration museum and a hub for genealogy data from around the world.  

Definition:  Genealogy- the study of family ancestries and histories.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:  PICK A FAMILY MEMBER(S) (OR IF YOU WISH TO INTERVIEW ANOTHER ADULT YOU CAN) TO INTERVIEW.  TAKE NOTES ON YOUR INTERVIEW.   REPORT BACK ON YOUR FINDINGS.  SAMPLE QUESTIONS CAN INCLUDE:

1.  Where were you born?
2.  When did our family first come to Marquette?
3.  Where did our families originate from (which countries or states)?
4.  Why did they leave where they were from to come here?
5.  Are there any interesting facts about our family?
6.  What traditions have been passed down in our family or created in our family?

Family traditions- traditions can vary to holiday celebrations (putting out cookies for Santa), to everyday activities (fishing, sewing, hunting, cooking), food (special foods at special times, etc.  If you have any traditions that are cultural (for example my (Nikke's)  family always takes a Sauna and eat Finnish coffee bread on Christmas Day) please try to include them as well.