Core Skills Analysis
History & Genealogy
- Charlie learned how to conduct genealogical research using online resources such as Ancestry.com and DNA analysis to trace family roots.
- The activity provided an understanding of historical census and church records as tools for uncovering information about ancestors and their lives.
- Charlie explored the social history of Cornwall and Devon, including the significance of local landmarks like St Michaels church and Dartmoor Prison in the family and community context.
- Visiting ancestral graves fostered a personal connection with history, offering insights into generational continuity and regional heritage.
Geography & Local Studies
- Charlie gained knowledge about specific places in Cornwall and Devon, such as Cornwall's ancestral links and Dartmoor’s geography including Princetown.
- The connection between local architecture (St Michaels church) and community history highlighted the relationship between people and place.
- Learning about Dartmoor Prison introduced an element of local heritage, linking historical events to physical locations.
- Understanding the spatial distribution of ancestors helped Charlie appreciate the importance of regional identity within family history.
Tips
To deepen Charlie's understanding of ancestry and local history, consider creating a family timeline that integrates historical events with your genealogical discoveries. Encourage Charlie to interview older family members or local historians for oral histories, which can provide personal stories beyond official records. Incorporating storytelling or creative writing about ancestral experiences can make history come alive. Planning a project around mapping ancestral locations using digital tools or even designing a family heritage booklet can extend the learning both creatively and technically. Visiting museums or archives related to Cornwall and Devon could also enrich cultural context and appreciation for local history.
Book Recommendations
- Tracing Your Cornish Ancestors by Dave Thompson: A practical guide that helps young readers explore their Cornish roots through historical records and local history.
- The Prisoner's Daughter by Sandra Brown: This historical fiction brings Dartmoor Prison's history to life through storytelling, blending family and regional history.
- Mapping Your Family History by Caroline Hull: A hands-on book that teaches how to connect family history research with geography through maps and place-based activities.
Learning Standards
- History: KS3 - Understanding local history and its relation to the national story (National Curriculum for England, History Program of Study, Years 7-9).
- Geography: KS3 - Investigating places, understanding human-environment interaction (National Curriculum for England, Geography Program of Study, Years 7-9).
- Computing: KS3 - Using online databases and digital resources responsibly for research purposes.
- English: KS3 - Developing narrative writing and comprehension through storytelling and historical accounts.
Try This Next
- Create a family tree poster incorporating photos, dates, and significant locations, emphasizing the Cornish ancestry.
- Write a diary entry or fictional first-person account imagining a day in the life of an ancestor living near Dartmoor Prison in the 19th century.
- Develop quiz questions about Dartmoor Prison, St Michaels church, and the census records used in the research.