America at 250: A Call to Action

The 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding is more than a historic milestone; it is a chance to highlight the importance of genealogy in understanding who we are as individuals, families, and communities. Whether you’re an individual genealogist or part of a society or organization, America at 250 provides a meaningful framework to engage others in the value of family history. 

A Call to Action: Do One Thing 

During the National Genealogical Society’s (NGS) annual meeting, which was held on 20 August 2025 (the recording is here), Executive Director Matt Menashes encouraged all of us to commit to at least one thing in 2026—something that inspires, educates, and encourages family history preservation and research. Even one action can make a lasting difference. Just think of the impact when multiplied across our community. 

A Personal Contribution 

We are the guardians of America’s story in the most meaningful way possible—history up close and personal. Now is the time to share the stories we’ve found with family and friends. As the spotlight shines on history in the upcoming year, we have the power to make it personal for our families. Here are some ways you can share family history and hopefully pique the interest of relatives. 

Write biographical sketches. Keep it simple focus on one ancestor at a time and tell their story. They don’t have to be Revolutionary War patriots, just anyone with a connection to a chapter in American history. 

Plot it on a map. Your family may not realize all the places where your ancestors once lived. Use maps to chart locations and routes taken during your family’s immigration or migration.   

Use history to tell the story. Were your ancestors part of a large migration? What were the circumstances under which they relocated? If your ancestors didn’t move around, learn about the history of the area in which they lived. Check local histories to learn about local events that aren’t found in history books. City and county histories are widely available via sources like Internet Archive, Google Books, HathiTrust, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com. 

Include art where available. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so use photographs of people and places to illustrate your family story.  

Share it! History is best preserved when shared. Short stories can be shared easily via email and social media (although be sure to use caution and don’t share details on living persons).  

In the Community 

Volunteer locally. Look for opportunities to volunteer with your local library, genealogical or historical society, or municipality. There will be plenty of events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary so join the fun.  

Teach family history. You have a lot to offer. Create a presentation, workshop, or class on beginning family history that you can present through your local library or some other organization.  

Write an editorial. Remind others through your local newspaper of the importance of recording our family stories and the preservation of the records and resources that are vital to and enrich our family stories.  

Collaborate with cultural and educational institutions. Partner with museums and archives to highlight resources available and teach genealogy skills. Also, check to see if there is an interest in local schools, community centers, alumni organizations, or any group that might be interested in learning how to begin family history research.  

Visit elderly people in your community. Humans are our most fragile archives. Look for opportunities to record the histories of our oldest friends and neighbors. Their stories are America’s story, too, and without someone taking the time to record their memories, that part of the story could be lost forever. 

Our Collective Impact 

Imagine the nationwide effect if we all did just one thing. From small-town libraries to major archives, from local societies to national organizations, together we can show the public the many ways family history research enriches our understanding of history and who we are. 

For more ideas, see the NGS pamphlet (.pdf), Family History is America’s Story: An America250 Toolkit for Genealogy and Family History Organizations. 

As we prepare to celebrate America at 250, let’s use this opportunity to make family history more visible, accessible, and meaningful for all. What’s your one thing going to be?