Serving as the family reunion President back in 2017 was undoubtedly a whirlwind experience. Managing finances and family expectations was no small task, and ensuring the design was just right became a top priority for me.

One of the very first projects I wanted to tackle was our History Book, and it quickly became a personal favorite of mine. Gathering all those scattered family photographs from households across the country, Facebook albums, and bringing them together in one beautifully crafted book was a labor of love.

View the book here

I was fortunate because my father had previously documented our family's story, and he's quite the gifted writer. Still, I felt the need to add to that narrative, particularly by delving into the stories of our ancestors. Extensive research on Ancestry.com was the starting point, and a family tree and a compelling story began to take shape.

Here are some tips for those looking to start their own family history search:

1. Talk with Your Family Members: Sometimes the simplest approach yields the most incredible results. Give your family members a call, engage in conversations about the weather or whatever else comes up, and gradually steer the discussion towards family history. People love talking about themselves, and those stories can be absolute gems.

2. Get on Ancestry.com: Many family members may have already done significant work on your family's history. I have to give a shoutout to my Cousin Crystal and her late father, who were true keepers of our family's story. Their dedication to preserving our history has been invaluable.

• As a side note, I found that investing in an Ancestry.com subscription for a year was well worth it. It can be a game-changer in uncovering your family's roots and history.