Hi Reader,

We're closing out October, and if you've been following along with the Family History Month series, you've spent the last few weeks discovering, preserving, and researching.

Now comes the bigger question: What are you creating that your descendants will actually want?

Here's the uncomfortable truth most genealogists don't want to hear: your great-grandchildren probably won't care about your meticulously researched pedigree charts. They might not keep your genealogy binders. That beautiful family tree you spent years perfecting? It could end up in a donation pile.

But before you feel discouraged, here's the good news: there ARE things your descendants will treasure—if you know what to create.

I recently sat down with Ellen Goodwin, co-founder of Artifcts, to talk about what family history actually means to the next generation. Her insights shifted how I think about legacy projects, and I think they'll challenge your assumptions too.

Let's close out October by talking about legacy that actually lasts.

🎬 NEW VIDEO

A LEGACY YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL ACTUALLY WANT

There's a big difference between what genealogists think is valuable and what descendants actually value. We focus on accuracy, completeness, and documentation. They want connection, stories, and accessibility.

So how do you bridge that gap?

In this week's video, Ellen shares what she's learned about what actually gets kept versus what gets donated or discarded after we're gone. The difference isn't about how much work you put in—it's about creating what resonates with people who didn't do the research themselves.

What we discuss:

• What descendants actually keep vs. what ends up donated
• The difference between preserving FOR yourself vs. FOR future generations
• Where most genealogists go wrong with legacy planning
• Practical formats that work for people who aren't genealogy enthusiasts

The insight that hit me hardest: It's not about creating MORE. It's about creating what matters in formats people will actually use.

🎬 Watch: How to Leave a Family History Legacy Your Descendants Will Actually Want

🔗 Learn more about Artifcts!

🎄 TRYING SOMETHING NEW THIS NOVEMBER

You might be surprised to see this in your genealogy newsletter — I know I was surprised when I signed up to teach at the Elves' Workshop Summit (November 18-20).

But here's the thing: many of you have told me you're not only researching family trees. You're knitting your grandmother's patterns, preserving family recipes, and creating traditions your kids will remember.

This free 3-day virtual event is packed with workshops on holiday cooking, decorating, gifting, and entertaining — topics that aren't strictly genealogy, but definitely overlap with preserving and celebrating family traditions.

I'll be teaching From Strangers to Stories: Beginners' Guide to Family History Journaling, and while it's a departure from my usual census records and old family photo talks, I think you'll enjoy it. Plus, there are dozens of other creators sharing ideas that might inspire your own family memory-making this season.

👉 Grab your free ticket here!

Fair warning: This isn't a genealogy specific event. It is three days of creativity, inspiration, and holiday cheer — I can’t wait to see you there!

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BONUS!

🎃HALLOWEEN FUN

Since we're wrapping up October, here's something fun for the week: use Halloween as an excuse to capture family stories.

Seriously—Halloween traditions, childhood costume memories, neighborhood trick-or-treating stories, family superstitions, "spooky" family legends. These are the stories that reveal culture, time period, and personality in ways census records never will.

Plus: Kids and grandkids LOVE talking about Halloween. Let's just say my adult "kids" still talk about that Halloween story that involved words like "Grandad" and "flaming cow poop"! So, if you've been trying to get younger family members interested in family history, this is your low-pressure entry point.

Quick prompts to try this weekend:

• "What's your earliest Halloween memory?"
• "Did our family have any Halloween traditions I don't know about?"
• "What was the scariest/funniest/most memorable costume you ever wore?"
• "Were there any neighborhood houses everyone avoided on Halloween? Why?"

These casual conversations become the family stories that actually get passed down.

🎬 Get more ideas: Halloween Family Fun: Tricks, Treats & Oral History

📅 COMING UP

AS WE CLOSE OCTOBER...

Whether you spent this month breaking through brick walls, organizing photos, capturing stories, or just thinking differently about your research—that's progress worth celebrating.

The Family History Month exploration series wraps up this week. Your regular Tuesday newsletters continue as usual, and I'll be sharing holiday-focused content as we head into November.

Coming in November: Black Friday genealogy deals (what's actually worth buying), holiday gathering prep for capturing stories, and year-end research strategies that work around holiday chaos.

Thanks for spending October exploring family history with me. Now go create something your descendants will actually treasure.

Keep preserving what matters,

Lisa
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Lisa Lisson Genealogy Researcher, Author & Speaker