Take Kids to a Family History Game Show

Ellis Island Hit Teaches Some Basic Genealogy

Aug 4, 2008 Rosemary E. Bachelor

The National Archives has teamed with the National Park Service to sponsor at Ellis Island a live family history game show that teaches some basic genealogy.

Adults and family youngsters can be contestants in a live family history game show at Ellis Island in New York. In the process, game participants learn basics about our immigrant ancestors and the documents that tell their story.

These documents include passenger arrival lists, federal census records and naturalization records. The National Archives and its regional facilities make these records available to the public for researching ancestors.

If a local scout organization gives a genealogy badge and is within range for a day trip, this is an excellent opportunity to add a meaningful experience to the scout program. For genealogists who are parents or grandparents, the game show offers an opportunity to place an exclamation point on what you have already passed on to the younger generation, plus an unforgettable awe-inspiring glance at how our country became the proverbial melting pot.

Processed Almost 12 Million Immigrants

Ellis Island, now operated by the National Park Service as an important historic landmark, processed nearly twelve million arriving immigrants from numerous countries between 1892 and 1954. It was the greatest tide of incoming humanity in the nation’s history. During this time period, Ellis Island was the main entry point to the United States.

These seekers of freedom of speech, of freedom of religion and of economic opportunity were the ancestors of even more millions of present day Americans.

Be a Contestant

Here are the nuts and bolts of how to be a contestant. The shows run at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month between April and October. No pre-registration is required.

These educational and inspirational sessions are held in the Ellis Island Learning Center (room 1 west). For directions and ferry times, see the Ellis Island website.

Statue of Liberty Nearby

The family history game show can be part of a triple stop visit. Stop two would be the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Stop three is the Statue of Liberty. It is often thought to be on Ellis Island because of its symbolism as a welcome to immigrants.

The Statue of Liberty is actually on nearby Liberty Island, which is about 1/2 mile to the south. Both locations are in the New York harbor. The ferry ride provides a wonderful panorama of both the harbor and the New York skyline, as well as the best opportunity to photograph the Statue of Liberty. The ferry ride also offers a refreshing rest period and a chance to have a snack.

There is a companion article which gives a National Archives lesson plan for teaching the Revolutionary War.

The copyright of the article Take Kids to a Family History Game Show in Genealogy is owned by Rosemary E. Bachelor. Permission to republish Take Kids to a Family History Game Show in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ellis Island Museum

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