History education for everyone

Resources for educators, professionals, and families. Learn, connect, and inspire.

Because every history matters.

Unlock the Ancestors Library

Step inside a living archive of stories, resources, and shared histories.

The Ancestors Library is a growing digital platform designed to support educators, families, and learners in exploring inclusive histories often left untold. Through lesson plans, archival materials, and community spaces, we connect the past to the present — and help shape a future built on knowledge and belonging.

This is more than a resource. It’s a gathering space for reflection, learning, and action.

Our Moving Story — View the first lesson pack in the Ancestors Library

Our Moving Story - illustration of a diverse group of people standing together

For Educators

Introduce students, teachers, and your school’s wider community to the power of family history research and other untold histories. Resources include teacher training, guest lectures, and lesson plans.

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For Professionals

Professional development, team building workshops, consulting, and other special events that encourage professional groups to learn, share, and reflect on their personal stories and other untold histories from around the world.

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For Families

We offer activities, resources, and products to encourage family research, collaboration, and storytelling to discover and celebrate your family’s history. Collaborate with family members of all ages!

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Our participants say…

A young person looks at a computer that shows an archived document
  • We interviewed adults from South America, England, France, China and Nigeria! The children asked some really interesting questions and really enjoyed listening to the different family and community stories.

    Anneke Teacher
  • You truly inspired me to learn about my family's history. If we do not know our past we will be like a tree that has forgotten its roots. Thanks again.

    Njeri C. Workshop student (10 years old)
  • The Ancestors Unknown project went incredibly well - thank you for all the resources and support you provided us. The children got so much out of the project and the most impactful part was definitely hearing the children talk about each other's histories and genuinely being interested in their stories.

     

    So many of the children - and parents actually - were awakened to the fact that their stories are important and valid. One parent came to speak to me and told me 'my father just came to Britain from Pakistan, so my daughter won't have much to say'. When I talked to him more about the project and its purpose, he was surprised and appeared to value his own story more.

     

    Throughout the project, we continued to discover that everyone's history is different and that is valuable.

    Liam Rufford Primary School (United Kingdom)
  • When you know where you come from, you show your pride to the world.

    Michael Student
  • I think it's more important to find out where we came from, so we can tell our future children about our ancestors. Our next generation will know where they've come from, and pass it on. This experience is necessary and I hope the next class will benefit from this as well.

    Tamia Student
  • [We were reminded] that we are a people with a past and it is very important to acknowledge and familiarize ourselves with it. Since then I have been inspired to learn more about my ancestors and create stronger bonds with my family members who are living.

    Judy C. Parent
  • What I really loved about the Ancestors Unknown workshop for our adolescent students is that you really know how to touch young people on a personal level. And that through researching and reflecting on their personal family stories they get to broaden their horizons with regard to themes such as representation of different populations in society in the past AND present.
    I am convinced that all this really contributes in discovering and developing personal identity in a balanced way.
    Claudia Stichting Giving Back (The Netherlands)
  • The lunch and learn was a resounding success! Really appreciate all of your organization and efforts.
    We have had very positive feedback [from employees] and we are looking forward to the next one.
    Jane Ares Management
  • I love how the [Ancestors] curriculum gives my students a sense of purpose and the ability to make global connections to their learning.

    Ms. Johnson Teacher, R.B. Stall High School (N. Charleston, S.C.)
  • It was clearly evident that students and parents alike gleaned so much from your unique workshop that was both interactive and self-reflective. And I have to say that I was pleasantly caught off guard by the powerfully emotional  effect that exploring your family history can have.

    Maria J. MLK Library (Washington, D.C.)
  • Just wanted to send a quick note to say THANK YOU!! The family research retreat was the highlight of our summer and we are excited to share what we learned with other family members. As you suggested, this is such a great way of opening a conversation with family, and it's empowering to feel that you can discover and share the stories of your ancestors.
    Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to this work with us. We are very grateful.
    Rachel Family History Research Retreat participant
  • Learning about my ancestors is the beginning for me.

    Victoria Student
  • Such an awesome experience! The things you helped us uncover have now sparked even more sharing in our family.
    What a gift you've given us!!! ????
    Jeremy Family History Research Retreat participant
  • The workshop was awesome. The information was very helpful, you laid the foundation out well. I can move forward to building my house.

    Brenda B. Workshop participant
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