Activity 8

Family Tree: Tracing One’s
Roots and Family History

Purpose

To discover your family’s experiences in past generations and compare them with those of immigrants and refugees today.

Instructions

Respond to the reflective questions below.

Most people in the United States can trace their family history, or roots, to someplace other than where they currently reside. Speak with family members and look through old family photographs (if you have any) to trace your family’s heritage as far back as possible. If you were adopted or do not know your ancestors, respond in terms of an adoptive or foster family, or one with which you closely identify. Respond to the following questions as best you can and share your responses with others.

From what parts of the world did your family (or families) originate?

What motivated your ancestors to leave their homeland for a New World? When did they leave? If your ancestors were always in North America, what was their life like prior to European contact?


What hardships did your ancestors face in previous generations, either when they first arrived or soon after contact? What did they do to overcome any hardships? Do they recall any prejudice that was experienced?

What did your ancestors do in the previous two or three generations? How did this influence what the family does today?

What languages did your ancestors speak? What has happened to these languages in your family today?

What family traditions or practices have been performed over the years that are special or unique to your family?

What do you know of the meaning behind your family name? How, if at all, has it changed over the years? Do you know the reason for any changes?

How are the experiences of your family similar to or different from those faced by various immigrants or refugees today?

In what ways was this exercise easy or difficult for you to do? Under what circumstances might an exercise like this be difficult for a student to do? What might you do as a teacher to modify it in special circumstances?

Human Diversity Workbook Activity 8 | 1