As we enter Thanksgiving week in the United States, we at The Family History Guide Association would like to express our gratitude for the many millions of people around the world who are taking part in some form of family history. This could be researching ancestors, collecting or passing along their stories, photos, or documents, or enjoying fun activities to remember family traditions. Our mission is to greatly increase the number of people actively involved in family history worldwide, and to make everyone’s family history journey easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Connecting with Gratitude

Some elements of family history research can be felt as natural points of gratitude and connection. Here are some brief examples:

• Immigration—Chances are good that you are descended from immigrants who moved from one country to another, or one region to another, in search of a better life and more opportunities. Perhaps you or your family have also moved, finding new experiences and creating new memories and friendships wherever you go. To learn more about immigration and records in The Family History Guide, see Goal D1 in the United States page, or the Immigration Goal in a country page of interest.
• Military—One or more of your ancestors may have served in your country’s military, protecting freedoms and safety for those you love. Have you or your close family members served in the military? Now would be a great time to pause and remember their sacrifices. To learn more about military records in The Family History Guide, see Goal E1 in the United States page, or the Military Goal in a country page of interest.
• Churches and Synagogues—Religious freedom has been an important concept to our ancestors, and churches throughout the ages have been largely a reliable source for preserving important family records. Whatever your beliefs, this preservation of family history continues to bless our lives today. To learn more about church and religious records in The Family History Guide, see Goal F1 in the United States page, or the Churches and Cemeteries Goal in a country page of interest.

Thanksgiving Around the World

While Thanksgiving is typically thought of as an American tradition, there are 15 or more countries around the world that formally celebrate Thanksgiving in some fashion. Here’s an article from the Saturday Evening Post that briefly describes Thanksgiving in eight countries outside the United States:

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/11/8-other-countries-that-celebrate-thanksgiving/

We hope you enjoy your own Thanksgiving, and may it bring a sense of gratitude for and connection with your family and ancestors.