CNN NEWSROOM: Genealogy searches take root on the Web
November 21, 2000
Web posted at: 2:19 PM EST (1919 GMT)
Discussion questions
1. Name three Web sites that can help individuals trace their families' ancestors. What kind of information might you need to use these sites to trace your relatives? Besides the Internet, what are other sources of information about personal genealogies? What are the National Archives?
2. Why do you think that so many people are interested in learning about their genealogy? Have your relatives ever traced your family tree? How far back do you have information about your family? Are you interested in this information? Why or why not? Why is it useful and important for people to know the details of their family ancestry?
3. Does it bother you that so much family information is readily accessible on the Web? Why or why not? If so, do you think having access to this information violates privacy? Explain.
4. Direct each student to trace a family member, such as a great-grandparent or great-great-grandparent, using the sources featured in the CNN NEWSROOM video. Instruct each student to write an essay about the process and whether or not he/she was successful. Have students share their findings.
5. Ask students to find out how much information they can locate about themselves on the Web, using Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, etc. After students present their findings, have students discuss the issue of personal privacy on the Internet.
Extension: Challenge students to think and write about the connection, if any, between searching for a family history and searching for identity and meaning in their own lives.
RELATED SITES:
Ancestry.com
National Archives and Records Administration
FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service
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