Happy Wednesday Friends! T-minus FORTY days until Christmas!! Last week I shared my annual gift guide, comprising of a whopping EIGHTY-SEVEN gifts, but I left out a whole chunk of gift recommendations - genealogy-related gifts! If you know me, you’ll know that I’m big into genealogy, so much so that it’s a whole topic here on my blog and I created a genealogy podcast - Uncovering Family History. So this year I thought it would be fun to create whole separate gift guide filled with gift ideas for the family history buffs in our lives! I’ve rounded up 42 products covering books, commemoration, decor, novelties, subscriptions, supplies, and technology, so there is hopefully something for everyone to unwrap on Christmas. And with the holiday season being the perfect time to get some research and family questioning done, these gifts will certainly come in handy! This post contains some affiliate links* A quick little disclaimer - although I have included a small handful of affiliate links (marked with an asterisk*), I have not been paid by any of these brands or businesses for inclusion on this list ~ books ~AIF Unit Histories of the Great War 1914-1918 The recent upsurge in Australia's military history has seen the online availability of many military records on the Australian War Memorial website and also the availability of a soldier's Personal Service Record on the National Archives site. However, many people have difficulty in wading through military jargon and need a more readable source of what their relatives battalion or unit was doing during the Great War of 1914-1918. This is where the unit histories become a most valuable resource tool. A point-by-point check list of 'The Ideal Unit History' which may be useful to genealogists and others has therefore been included. Also included are publication details of the many published histories of battalions, light horse regiments and other units of the 1st Australian Imperial Force which served with distinction in theatres such as Gallipoli, France, Belgium, Egypt and Palestine. Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$12.50 Arrivals in Australia from 1788 This book introduces the history and records of migration to Australia from 1788. Migrating to a new country was one of the most dramatic life changes anyone undertook and it certainly affected the lives of their descendants. Investigating their journey is a key part of your family history research. However immigration records in Australia are not all held in one place - when, where and how they arrived affect where (and whether) records of their arrival can be found. Understanding categories of arrivals and the immigration schemes in place as well as the general principles of where documents are held, will give you confidence that you have looked in all the right places. This title is NOT a listing of names and their arrival details, but rather a research guide to direct you to archives, repositories and others that hold records relating to immigration. Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$34.50 Born in…? What Else Happened? What happened in Australia back in the year you were born? Most people aren't likely to remember. Ron Williams has created this series to record the events that made news in Australia year-by-year from 1939-1973. Each volume in the series describes the happenings that affected people, real people, and is designed to make you remember and wonder at things you'd forgotten or didn't know about. Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$19.95 Genealogy For Dummies Genealogy For Dummies, 8th Edition covers everything you need to know about starting a genealogical research project―including where and how to find information, how to communicate with other online genealogists, how to leverage social networking sites and apps, how to add digital images to your family tree, and how to build your own site for sharing information. It also explains the use of compiled genealogies, U.S. Census information, and public access catalogs. Brand new to this edition is content on how to conduct genealogical research on the road, and on how to take this research and integrate it into the data found at home. It also contains new information on DNA research and testing, new geocoding applications to record geographic data into a genealogical database, and other new technologies. The book covers which apps are worth your money, and how to get the most out of them. Available from Amazon* for AU$38.47 Grave Tales Throughout their books, Helen and Chris unearth interesting and intriguing stories about everyday people. If you have an interest in history, historic attractions, and traipsing through cemeteries, these are probably books for you! Available from Grave Tales for AU$25.00 How to Write Compelling Stories from Family History Have you inherited the responsibility of preserving your family history? Do you wish you could transform your old photos and artifacts into entertaining tales? Want to record all those great remember-when’s but worry your writing will bore your relatives to tears? Author and writing instructor Annette Gendler has helped countless eager writers over her many years of teaching at StoryStudio Chicago. Now she’ll show you how you can turn your treasured family saga into a captivating narrative you’ll be proud to share. How to Write Compelling Stories from Family History is a concise guide for converting your heirlooms and oral anecdotes into engaging prose. Following Annette Gendler’s step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to decide which memories are best suited to chronicle your loved ones’ unique journeys through life, and what makes them an absorbing read. Supported with personal examples and writing prompts at the end of each chapter, you’ll quickly be giving voice to your ancestors’ adventures. Available from Amazon* for AU14.72 Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher top struggling to manage all your genealogy facts, files, and data - make a plan of attack to maximise you progress. ''Organize Your Genealogy" will show you how to use tried-and-true methods and the latest tech tools and genealogy software to organise your research plan, workspace, and family history finds. In this book, you'll learn how to organise your time and resources,including how to set goals and objectives, determine, workable research questions, sort paper and digital documents, keep track of physical and online correspondence, prepare for a research trip, and follow a skill-building plan. With this comprehensive guide, you'll make the most of your research time and energy and put yourself on a road to genealogy success. Available from Amazon* for AU$35.42 Practical Genealogy: 50 Simple Steps to Research Your Diverse Family History Uncover facts and mysteries of your ancestors--a clear approach to genealogy The pursuit of family history tends to be shaped by several motives, including finding a larger familial historical picture, preserving the past for future generations, and storytelling. Practical Genealogy provides a method for investigating your family history by establishing an understanding of genealogy and the factors, tasks, and obstacles involved in the research. The end goal: find the information necessary to piece together your heritage. Follow 50 steps that will fill in the puzzle of your lineage. Learn how to perform your own investigation through the lens of real-world obstacles like tracing ancestry through adoptions and orphanages. Practical Genealogy simplifies and breaks down the complex research process into actionable tips that can be conducted over a period of time. And most importantly, no blood test is necessary. Available from Amazon* for AU$34.54 Preserving Your Family Photographs: How to Care for Your Family Photographs - from Dagurreotypes to Digital Imaging Maureen A. Taylor, internationally known for her knowledge of genealogy, history and photographs, provides all the information you need to care for your family photograph collection. She outlines in straightforward steps how to add value to your home collection by using the methods that conservators and photo curators use every day! You'll learn how to:
Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$64.95 Regional Ancestry Guides Follow you family tree back to its regional roots. These in-depth genealogy guides will walk you set-by-step through the exciting journey of researching your heritage. Titles include:
Available from Amazon* for AU$37.75 - AU$43.65 The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record & Preserve Your Ancestors’ Graves Not all research can be done from home--sometimes you have to head into the field. Cemeteries are crucial for any genealogist's search, and this book will show you how to search for and analyze your ancestors' graves. Discover tools for locating tombstones, tips for traipsing through cemeteries, an at-a-glance guide to frequently used gravestone icons, and practical strategies for on-the-ground research. And once you've returned home, learn how to incorporate gravestone information into your research, as well as how to upload grave locations to BillionGraves and record your findings in memorial pages on Find A Grave. Available from Amazon* for AU$41.76 The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy Unlock the family secrets in your DNA! Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide (newly updated and expanded to include th latest DNA developments) will teach you what DNA tests are available; the pros and cons of the major testing companies; and how to choose the right test to answer your specific genealogy questions. And once you've taken a DNA test, this guide will help you use your often-overwhelming results, with tips for understanding ethnicity estimates, navigating suggested cousin matches, and using third-party tools like GEDmatch to further analyze your data. Available from Amazon* for AU$52.99 The Psychology of Family History: Exploring Our Genealogy This important book examines the motives that drive family historians and explores whether those who research their ancestral pedigrees have distinct personalities, demographics or family characteristics. It describes genealogists’ experiences as they chart their family trees including their insights, dilemmas and the fascinating, sometimes disturbing and often surprising, outcomes of their searches. Drawing on theory and research from psychology and other humanities disciplines, as well as from the authors’ extensive survey data collected from over 800 amateur genealogists, the authors present the experiences of family historians, including personal insights, relationship changes, mental health benefits and ethical dilemmas. The book emphasises the motivation behind this exploration, including the need to acknowledge and tell ancestral stories, the spiritual and health-related aspects of genealogical research, the addictiveness of the detective work, the lifelong learning opportunities and the passionate desire to find lost relatives. With its focus on the role of family history in shaping personal identity and contemporary culture, this is fascinating reading for anyone studying genealogy and family history, professional genealogists and those researching their own history. Available from Amazon* for AU$45.43 Writing a Non-Boring Family History Family history sleuthing is the biggest hobby worldwide. Amid a sea of genealogy books, Hazel Edwards has written a practical handbook on how to craft stories about our ancestors in an interesting way that other people will want to read. She addresses the vital issues of: injecting life into a name on a shipping list; presenting the family's murky secrets; doing justice to intriguing ancestors; getting the amount of dramatisation right; interviewing elderly relatives and people close to the family; how to use anecdotes and record memories. This revised edition acknowledges the new e-formats that today's family members use, includes helpful tips on how to write a eulogy, and covers the growing interest in touring military battlefields and researching onsite material. Available from Amazon* for AU$19.21 ~ commemorative ~A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family This guided journal is designed to hold all your favourite memories for your children, grandchildren and family. It offers writing prompts and journalling pages. Choose from Dad’s Story, Mum’s Story, Grandma’s Story, and Grandpa’s Story. Available from Amazon* for AU$27.84 - AU$48.49 An Oral History: Preserve Your Family’s Story Don’t lose those family stories! This unique journal is designed for an adult cild to record the story of a parent of grandparent. Use it as a conversation guide between you and a parent to record fading memories, ask a parent to fill it our on their own, or fill out what you know yourself. Available from Amazon* for AU$20.99 Medal Boxes Store or display your or your ancestor’s military honours and awards with pride in an heirloom quality timber medal box. Crafted by OzWood, from Australian Jarrah, the medal box features a laser engraved crest of the selected military branch on the lid. The medal box features a removable tray with storage compartments underneath. The box is also fully lined and has a magnetic closure. Designed to store and display 4-7 medals as well as miniature medals, ribbon bars or corps badges. Choose from Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Navy. Available from Australian War Memorial Shop for AU$149.99 ~ decor ~Family Tree Hanging Frames Display Show how your family tree has blossomed with this unique metal tree with 12 hanging picture frames. The intricately carved branches and leaves artfully display your precious family pictures. Available from Amazon* for AU$72.38 Personalised Wooden Birthday Calendar The perfect gift for the person who is hard to buy for! This wooden birthdays and celebrations calendar makes an amazing décor piece. Twenty-Five engraved tags are included, with additional tags available to purchase as your family grows. Available from Etsy* for AU$57.75 ~ novelties ~Genealogist Tote Bag This high-quality cotton canvas tote features words associated with genealogy, and is spacious enough to carry around your books, wallet, shopping, and more! Available from Amazon* for AU38.97 I Know Which Branch The Nuts Came From Mug This 11-ounce white ceramic mug is printed on both sides with “Family Genealogist I Know Which Branch The Nuts Came From”, making it a fun novelty gift that any family historian would love. Available from Amazon* for AU$41.15 It’s All About The Roots Zipper Pouch This high-quality cotton canvas zipper pouch is printed with “Genealogy It’s All About The Roots” and can be used as a cosmetic and makeup bag, pencil case, handbag organiser, or even a clutch! Available from Amazon* for AU$36.75 Old Books Scented Candle We love the smell of old books! But not the rotten, mildewy kind – the sweet, papery sort. If you’re like us, then you’ll love our candle that smells just like those old books. This soft, comforting book-scented candle makes you want to curl up in your favorite reading chair and leaf through stacks of worn, well-loved stories. Vanilla overtones transform into a lovely, complex aroma when melted. Available from Frostbeard Studio for AU$13.00 - AU$39.00 Seedling Kits: Grow-Your Own Rosemary or Poppies This eco-friendly kit comes with everything you need to grow your own Rosemary or Poppy, including a pot made from 100% biodegradable bamboo fibre. Available from Australian War Memorial for AU$14.99 Warning! May Start Talking About Genealogy T-Shirt A funny vintage family history themed design that would be a great Christmas or birthday gift for a genealogist or family historian! Features antique old-looking text. If you love to talk about genealogy and research your family tree & dna, then this design is for you! Also available on a wide range of products. Available from Redbubble for AU$24.86 ~ subscriptions ~Ancestry Give the gift of discovery. Help loved ones build their family tree and explore their ancestors’ lives with an Ancestry membership this Christmas. Choose between three plans - region-specific, world heritage, or all access. Available from Ancestry* for AU$139.99 - $249.99 for 6-month subscription or AU$249.99 - AU$474.99 for 12-month subscription Family Tree UK Magazine Family Tree magazine is dedicated to helping you discover your ancestry. In every issue, you’ll find practical step-by-step guides and helpful tips for researching your ancestry, with the aim of making your family history adventure simple, interesting and fun! Choose between print or digital editions. Available from Family Tree Magazine for £39.99 - £59.99 Family Tree USA Magazine Learn how to build your family tree with genealogy tips, free charts and forms, what to do with DNA tests, family history projects and more! Available from Family Tree Magazine for $19.96 - $32.00 Findmypast There’s no present like their past. Treat someone to a Findmypast gift subscription. Chose from three plans - Plus, Pro and Premium Available from Findmypast for AU$69.99 - AU$109.99 for 6-months or AU$254.99 - AU$369.99 for 12-months MyHeritage Give them a gift they’ll cherish forever. A gift membership grants your loved one access to all features and historical records on MyHeritage so they can discover their family history. Available from MyHeritage for AU$229 - AU$349 Newspapers.com With Publisher Extra, get unlimited access to all 913 million+ pages, including newspapers published as recently as one month ago. Available from Newspapers.com for AU$29.99 - AU$109.99 Traces Magazine Traces uncovers Australian history, from ancient Indigenous heritage to European settlement, local history, artefacts and genealogy. Launched in December 2017, Traces is the only quarterly printed magazine dedicated to providing its readers with insight into the latest historical research, news and heritage projects taking place around Australia. The expert voices of historians, researchers, heritage professionals, genealogists, and journalists uncover the fascinating characters and stories of our past. Available from Traces Magazine for AU$20.00 - AU$129.00 Wartime Magazine Wartime is the official magazine of the Australian War Memorial and Australia's foremost military history magazine. Published quarterly, Wartime is devoted to the Australian experience of war, military history, and the effects of war on society. All features are written by eminent historians and deal fully and frankly with both the distressing and the lighter sides of war. Each issue delivers stories of courage and survival of both service personnel and civilians, illustrated throughout by incredible images from the AWM archives. Available from Australian War Memorial for AU$36.00 - AU$68.00 Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine Every issue of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine is packed with advice from leading genealogists on how to expand your family tree and discover more about your ancestors. We also cover fascinating articles about the past and real-life stories from other genealogists to help inspire your research. Available from Who Do You Think You Are? for AU$75.00 - AU$128.00 ~ supplies ~DNA Kits Discover the places, history, and cultures that shaped who you are today, and find new relatives, just with your DNA. Perfect for both family history buffs and those just interested in learning more about where they come from. Available from Ancestry* for AU$129.00, MyHertiage for AU$149.00, and LivingDNA for AU$169.00 Eight Generation Pedigree Chart Use our 15-pack of genealogy charts to fill in multiple generations of your family history and create a lasting memory that all can enjoy. Their elegant design features clear and easily distinguishable branches, making it effortless to follow and understand your familial connections. These charts include spaces to write 255 names, birth dates, birth places, marriage dates, marriage places, death dates, death places, and note sections for the most recent generations of family members, giving you generous space to add significant details about each member, helping bring their stories to life. Available from Amazon* for AU$37.01 Family Tree Scrapbook Perfectly record and collect those touching moments you don't wanna forget with your innermost words and fadeless photos in this DIY custom scrapbook. Available from Amazon* for AU$46.65 Genealogy Document Bundles Get a handle on your family history research and recording with our Genealogy Digital Download Bundle! Packed with essential tools and resources, this bundle is designed to help you piece together your ancestry, create a detailed record of you family’s history, and keep track of your research. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogists or just getting started on this wonderful journey, this bundle has something for everyone. Available from Just Me, Victoria** for AU$10.00 - AU12.00 Gould Genealogy Gift Card If you're not sure exactly what to give someone, then our new 'Gift Cards' are the answer. It gives your friend, relative or colleague the chance to choose exactly what they want. So what could be better? Let them choose from our range of over 7000 products including books, CDs, software, archival supplies, stationery and more. The vouchers are usable for phone, mail, online orders or in store purchases. Each voucher is valid for 3 years from the date of purchase. Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$20.00 - AU$100.00 Photo Archiving Organiser Forget flimsy paper wallets and bulky albums - you can store up to 1,600 15x10cm photos in this case. Containing 16 separate, secure acid-free wallets, making it easy to organise and locate your special memories. Available from Innovations for AU$49.00 ~ technology ~Family History 32GB USB If you are researching at the library, archive or society and need to get copies of documents, get them saved on to your "Family History USB". Are you sending copies of your genealogy files or family photos to a relative? Pop them on the "Family History USB". In this world of modern technology, where we have oodles of USBs around, keep track of which one you use for family history by saving them on to this "Family History USB". As it is clearly labelled, you won't have to guess which one your files, notes, backups or photos are on. This empty USB comes with 32GB capacity which gives you plenty of storage space for all your files. So if you're stuck for a gift idea for a genealogist friend or family member, it makes a fantastic present. Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$34.50 Family Tree Maker 2019 It's been more than three decades since Family Tree Maker was born and our latest edition takes this grand old brand to places its original creators could only have dreamed of. Where every change you make to your tree on your Mac or PC can be instantly and automatically viewed from any smartphone or tablet. Where you can turn back time to erase mistakes you made even a thousand changes ago. Where you can arrange for your tree to be passed on to a relative of your choice along with your Family Tree Maker license to ensure your legacy lives on. That's just a small part of the new world of Family Tree Maker. So get ready. And stay tuned. Available from Gould Genealogy for AU$114.95 Kodak Slide n Scan Digital Film Scanner Don’t let your memories fade into obscurity—preserve and proudly display them with the KODAK SLIDE N SCAN Digital Film Scanner. It’s easy to see why this scanner’s large, clear LCD screen makes viewing images a pleasure. Scan color and B&W negatives (135, 110, 126) and 50 mm slides (135, 110, 126) to digitally preserve your precious mementos, and keep them vivid for years to come. Available from Amazon* for AU$303.62 Putting together this list has been so fun, and I’ve definitely added a few things to my own wishlist *hint hint family*. So I hope this guide has helped and inspired you on what gifts to give the family history buffs in your life.
At the end of the day, it’s the thought that truly matters, so don’t get caught up in all the frills and extravagances of the silly season. If you’re looking for some non-genealogical gifts, be sure to check out my 2023 Gift Guide. And if you need some advent calendar suggestions, check out my list of 45 Advent Calendars for 2023. Happy Shopping! Victoria :) |
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