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Requirements September 1985 until January 2006

1. Explain the meaning of genealogy and genealogical resources.

2. Begin a pedigree chart with yourself and fill it in as far as you can at the beginning of your project. Add any additional names, dates, or places that you find.

3 .Show yourself as a child on a family group record form, and show one of your parents as a child on another family group record form.

4. Interview an older relative to obtain information about your family. This interview may be in person, by telephone, or by letter. Add any information obtained to your pedigree chart and family group records.

5. Obtain at least one genealogical document showing proof of some information on your pedigree chart or family group records. This document may be located in your home, a courthouse, an archive or library, etc.

6. Tell how you would evaluate genealogical information.

7. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Do a time line for yourself or for a close relative.
(b) Keep a journal for 6 weeks, writing in it at least once weekly.
(c) Write a short history of yourself or of a close relative.

8. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Tell how the development of computers is affecting the world of genealogy.
(b) Tell how the development of photography (including micro-filming) has influenced genealogy.
(c) Tell how personal and family history have begun to influence the way society looks at local, national, and international history.

9. Contact ONE of the following and ask a question relating to its genealogical services or activities. Report the results.

(a) A lineage society
(b) A surname organization
(c) A professional genealogist
(d) A genealogical education facility or institution
(e) A genealogical record repository of any type (courthouse, genealogical library, state archives, state library, national archives, etc.).

10. Tell where you would find current information about genealogical records and research methods.

Requirements January 2006 until Current

1. Explain to your counselor what the words genealogy, ancestor, and descendent

2. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Create a time line for yourself or for a relative. Then write a short biography based on that time line.
(b) Keep a journal for six weeks. You must write in it at least once a week.

3. With your parent’s help choose a relative or a family acquaintance you can interview in person, by telephone, or by email or letter. Record the information you collect so you do not forget it.

4. Do the following:

(a) Name three types of genealogical resources and explain how these resources can help you chart your family tree.
(b) Obtain at least one genealogical document that supports an event that is or can be recorded on your pedigree chart or family group record. The document could be found at home or at a government office, religious organization, archive, or library.
(c) Tell how you would evaluate the genealogical information you found for requirement 4b.

5. Contact ONE of the following individuals or institutions. Ask what genealogical services, record, or activities, this individual or institution provides, and report the results:

(a) A genealogical or lineage society
(b) A professional genealogist (someone who gets paid for doing genealogical research)
(c) A surname organization, such as your family’s organization
(d) A genealogical educational facility or institution
(e) A genealogical record repository of any type (courthouse, genealogical library, state or national office, state library, etc.)

6. Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this requirement by using the chart provided in the Genealogy merit badge pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice.

7. Complete a family group record form, listing yourself and your brothers and sisters as the children. On another family group record form, show one of your parents and his or her brothers and sisters as children. This requirement may be completed using the chart provided or the genealogy software program of your choice.

8. Do the following:

(a) Explain the effect computers and the Internet are having on the world of gemealogy.
(b) Explain how photography (including microfilming) has influenced genealogy.

9. Discuss what you have learned about your family and your family members through your genealogical research.