Your Family Tree Gift Guide for the Holidays

The favorite family tree gifts for the genealogy buff, family historian and history lover on your Christmas gift list. Shopping will be easy!

November had not arrived yet when I noticed the Christmas decorations going up at local shopping centers and inside stores.  Already the pressure of Christmas shopping had begun.

Even as we approach Black Friday, I’m not ready. You?

Let’s help each other out. I’m going to share some great family tree gift  ideas for your family and also some gift ideas to put on your  own Christmas wish list. [Help your family out and just send them a link to this post!]

If there is another genealogist in the family, I’ll help you find that perfect gift.

Family Tree Gift Guide for the Holidays

Genealogy Software

Most genealogists are techies to some degree.  Face it, we sort of have to be! Even if they (or you) are not, genealogy software to help organize the family tree is a must for any genealogist. Having a family tree offline and not associated with an online account is vital to the back up process for genealogy research.

Here are a few of my suggestions:

• Legacy  – I’ve used this one in the past and like it a lot, too!
• Family Tree Maker – This is the one I use!
• Scrivener – For organizing and (finally) writing your family history.

Genealogy Database Subscriptions

Family history researchers love nothing more than information and data on their ancestors.  A subscription to an online database is a good thing to add to your own Christmas list (to help Santa’s elves out, of course!).

• FindMyPast – One of my favorite features here is  PERSI! Predominantly UK and Irish record collections, FindMyPast has many world and U. S records, too. (I love my subscription!)
• Ancestry.com – My very first genealogy subscription site, and I still use it regularly.
• Fold3 – My go-to for researching ancestors in the military. 
• GenealogyBank – Newspapers!
• Newspapers.com – Read all about it in the newspaper!  I love newspaper research, and this one is my favorite.
• MyHeritage

DNA & Genealogy

Who can do genealogy research without the addition of DNA testing? DNA is pretty much standard in our research these days. Here’s my go-to list for all things DNA and a perfect addition to my list of family tree gifts.

• AncestryDNA 
• FamilyTreeDNA
• 23andMe DNA
• LivingDNA  
• MyHeritageDNA
• The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy (second edition) by Blaine Bettinger – (This one sits on my bookshelf.)

Helpful Genealogy Research “Tools”

What’s in your genealogy toolbox?  I don’t use many office type tools, but I do use a few.  Having a paper and pencil option is always good idea.

• Laptop – I use one similiar to this one. 
• Desk Light  – For reading those old handwritten documents.
• Handheld magnifying Glass with Light – Again, for reading those old documents!
• Binders – To store all that information we find. I’m almost completely digital in my filing, but I know many still use the binder system.
• Legal pads –  Sometimes you just think better on paper, at least I do. You will always find a legal pad and mechanical pencil beside me when I research.

Photo Organization & Preservation

If you and your family are fortunate to have heirloom photographs, make sure they are preserved and stored safely.

• Picture Keeper Portable Flash Drive – This one is my favorite!
• KODAK Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner – This is a good tool for scanning film and negatives – both at home and on the road.
• Archival Photo Pages – Let’s protect those photos!
• Archival Safe Ring Binder Box
• How to Archive Family Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide to Organize and Share Your Photos Digitally by Denise My Levernick 
• Digital Photo Organizing – A 3 Part Masterclass by Maureen Taylor – The Photo Detective to the rescue!

Genealogy Stocking Stuffers

No one wants an empty stocking on Christmas morning – not even an adult! 😉  These are small items that make a BIG difference for the genealogy researcher.

• Roll of Quarters (for the microfilm machines!) – Yes, we still use microfilm!
• Flash Drives – Back up, back up , back up!
• Mechanical pencils – Many repositories only allow the use of pencils.  No ink pens allowed.

Genealogy Fun!

Genealogy  is fun, and if it’s not? Well, you might be doing something wrong. 😀

Show your genealogy fun side with these great family tree gifts:

• Genealogy coffee mug for those late night research sessions!   Who wouldn’t love this personalized mug with your ancestors on it?!  Oh, and add some Starbucks coffee beans and you’ve got a fantastic gift.
• Genealogy Facemask – I’m getting this one for myself!  It’s a sign of our times that we wear facemasks, but we are not the first. This fun facemask remembers the 1918 influenza pandemic and our mask wearing ancestors.
• Generations Board Game, A Game of Family History – It’s a family history board game for family night!
• Tree of Life Sterling Silver Necklace – It’s a beautiful necklace to show your love of growing the family tree.

Do you feel more prepared for your holiday shopping now?

Whew!  I do.

(Now….If I can just keep from buying too many Christmas gifts for myself.)

Leave me a comment below and let me know what is on your genealogy wish list this holiday season.