October is Family History Month so there’s no better time to discover your own unique family story. Learning about your family history helps you better understand your past, including the triumphs and struggles your ancestors went through, and provides crucial context about who you are and where you came from. Plus, this is information you can pass down to younger generations because after all, the value of knowing your family history starts at a young age.
Decades of research from Emory University professors Dr. Marshall Duke and Dr. Robin Fivush illustrates the value of family storytelling. Their research shows that children who know more about their family tend to be more resilient and have higher self-esteem, better scholastic performance, and better chances of success when faced with adversity.
A recent Ancestry® study found that 1 out of 3 Americans are unable to name all four of their grandparents, and 1 out of 5 were unable to name just one of their great-grandparents. Despite this statistic, nearly 4 out of 5 Americans want to know more about their heritage and family lineage. For some, it may seem intimidating to dive in to learning about your family history, but luckily, it’s easier than you may think. With Ancestry, anyone can build a personal family tree. We guide you through the process, helping you uncover rich details about your ancestors and surfacing relevant records to build your family tree. The satisfaction of building your personal family tree is unparalleled. It’s your family story and only you can choose the gems from our treasure trove of historical records, images, and family trees, as well as our expanding AncestryDNA® network to tell your story.