Education Resources
Comprehensive resources for educators, librarians, and families teaching Black genealogy and family history to students of all ages. From printable activities to full curriculum guides aligned with national standards.
Teaching Family History & Black Genealogy
These resources help educators bring genealogy into the classroom in meaningful, inclusive ways. From hands-on activities for elementary students to comprehensive curriculum guides for high school, these materials make family history accessible and engaging for all learners.
A comprehensive collection of over 42 free family tree templates in PDF, DOC, and PPT formats from FreebieSupply. Includes blank templates, simple family trees, photo frame trees, kid-friendly templates, blended family trees, pedigree charts, ancestry charts, and multi-generation diagrams. Downloadable and ready to print for classroom or home use.
Level: Beginner
Access ResourceA collection of free printable family tree coloring pages designed for young children. These coloring pages help kids develop creativity, focus, motor skills, and color recognition while learning about their family structure. Includes various kid-friendly family tree designs that can be printed and colored as a fun genealogy activity for early learners.
Level: Beginner
Access ResourceFree youth education resources from American Ancestors (New England Historic Genealogical Society), designed by their Youth Education Curriculum Coordinator. Includes downloadable activity guides for conducting family history interviews, becoming a photo sleuth, family history scavenger hunts, creating family trees, 5-generation charts, a glossary of family history terms, journaling, pop-up cards, ancestral keepsakes, word searches, and a full Youth Education Resource Guide. Also links to the Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings classroom program and a free national Family History Curriculum for K-12 educators.
Level: Beginner
Access ResourceA collection of free printable family tree templates from FamilySearch, including classic tree designs, kid-friendly trees, artistic trees, pedigree charts, and templates you can autofill online. The black-and-white versions double as coloring pages for kids. Great for classroom activities, family home evening, or getting children started with genealogy.
Level: Beginner
Access ResourceA curated wiki guide from FamilySearch with family history activities for children ages 3 to 11. Covers creating timelines, exploring places ancestors lived, filling in pedigree charts and family group records, learning surname meanings, searching census records, creating journals and life stories, conducting family interviews, and fun games and activity books. Includes printable PDFs and links to online discovery activities.
Level: Beginner
Access ResourceResources from the Southern Poverty Law Center focused on civics education, democracy, Civil Rights Movement history, education justice, and combating hate. Features teaching frameworks for hard history including American slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, with materials for all grade levels.
Level: All Levels
Content Warning
Contains materials addressing racism, violence, and difficult historical topics
Comprehensive family history teaching resources including starter kits, lesson plans on identity, Reconstruction, immigration, Holocaust studies, and partnerships with Facing History and Ourselves. Features DNA learning activities, historical record guides, and materials for grades K-12 with alignment to national standards.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceDownloadable family trees, activity sheets, and hands-on projects for kids of all ages. Includes family tree templates for traditional and blended families, migration journey maps, immigration journey maps, and creative activities like the Family Food Tree project.
Level: Beginner
Access ResourceFree national curriculum for grades 4-8 designed by experts at American Ancestors. Incorporates authentic genealogical methodologies with inclusive teaching strategies to ensure genealogy is accessible to all students. Includes lesson plans, editable handouts, Google Slides, case studies, and aligns with C3 Framework and Common Core standards.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceCollection of educational videos featuring genealogists, educators, and historians discussing family history research, identity, and personal connections to history. Includes conversations with Crista Cowan, Love Foy, and special features like 'Railroad Ties' documentary and 'Genealogy in a Minute' series.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceCurated collection of historical topics organized by era and theme including Black History, Civil Rights, American Civil War, crimes & mysteries, famous people, and more. Features newspaper clippings, articles, and primary sources ideal for classroom research and projects.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceComprehensive youth education programs including free K-12 school membership, Family History Curriculum for grades 4-8, virtual field trips, teacher workshops, essay contests, and National History Day support. Offers professional development and resources to help educators teach genealogy in an inclusive and accessible way.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceCurated list of 20 vetted apps, games, and websites for teaching African American history across the curriculum. Includes reviews of resources from PBS LearningMedia, Smithsonian NMAAHC, Library of Congress, Stanford History Education Group, and more. Helps educators integrate African American history year-round beyond Black History Month.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceComprehensive digital textbook created by North Carolina educators showing how to integrate family history research into K-12 classrooms. Features real-world implementation examples, pedagogical strategies, Common Core alignment, and methods for using Ancestry databases effectively. Includes reflections from teachers across different subjects and grade levels.
Level: All Levels
Access ResourceCurriculum framework for teaching the history of American slavery. Essential for educators.
Level: All Levels
Content Warning
Educational content about slavery and racial violence
An interactive version of the People Not Property project for educators and folks wanting to learn. Humanizing enslaved ancestors.
Level: All Levels
Content Warning
Educational content about slavery
Teaching strategies for using runaway slave ads in K-12 education. Lesson plans and classroom resources.
Level: All Levels
Content Warning
Contains runaway slave advertisements
Need Custom Support?
Whether you're planning a school-wide genealogy program, need help adapting materials for your students, or want professional development for your staff, we're here to help.
Many of these resources include free teacher training and support materials.