r Genealogy is one of the most popular pastimes in the United States. Once a hobby that seemed to be reserved for great-aunts or elderly cousins, people of all ages are now getting into the family history craze.
Young, mature, beginner, or expert, there is something for everyone at the Spanish Fork Family History Center’s Family Discovery Day on Saturday, February 9.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LDS multi-stake center at 1138 W 100 S in Spanish Fork. There will be classes, activities and demonstrations for all age and experience levels. A pizza lunch will also be provided.
Todd Hansen from the Story Trek will be the keynote speaker. Popular youth speaker Ryan Sharp will give a youth class.
Adult classes include topics like, “Untangling the Knots in Your Family Tree”, “Rescuing Treasured Memories”, “Merging Duplicates”, “Life Story Writing”, “Where to Start if Your Tree is Full”, and “Family History Consultant Training.” Classes have been prepared on 25 different topics.
Age appropriate activities are available for kids ages 3-11. A nursery is available for small children. Parents can check their toddlers in and out of the nursery as they please.
“There’s something for everybody,” said Clint Argyle, one of the event organizers from the Spanish Fork Family History Center. “Heavenly Father made it possible for people to do family history in a way that they find interesting.
Argyle said his father loved the research part of family history, really digging into records to find names of ancestors. While research is not his style, Argyle has found a love for recording memories and sharing photos using the Family Tree and Memories apps. “I can do pictures, stories, audio, all kinds of cool stuff that can do family history without doing research,” he said.
Family Discovery Day is a great way to sample the many avenues people take to family history work. Many opportunities can now be found on your smartphone. You can find something to do if you have just 10 minutes to spare. “Find out what you’re interested in and what you like and enjoy and that makes it really fun. Once you find something you enjoy, you’ll do it,” Argyle said.
The event is free to the public. Pre-registration is not required. You can find a Family Discovery Day schedule on the Family History Center’s Facebook Page.
