Genealogy Video Projects: Telling Your Family’s Story

Genealogy isn’t just about collecting names and dates—it’s about bringing family history to life. One of the most engaging and meaningful ways to share your research is through genealogy video projects. Whether you’re creating a short documentary, a narrated slideshow, or an interview-based family history film, video allows you to preserve and share your ancestors’ stories in a dynamic and emotionally compelling way.

This guide will walk you through how to create a genealogy video, from planning and recording to editing and sharing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced genealogist, you’ll find tips, tools, and inspiration to make your family history project unforgettable.

Why Create a Genealogy Video?

A genealogy video is more than just a collection of old photos—it’s a multisensory experience that combines storytelling, visuals, music, and narration to create a lasting family keepsake.

Benefits of a Family History Video:

✅ Brings Ancestors to Life – Seeing faces, hearing voices, and watching old footage makes history feel real.
✅ Preserves Oral Histories – Capturing interviews ensures that family stories aren’t lost.
✅ Engages Younger Generations – Video is an accessible, exciting way to connect with family history.
✅ Easy to Share – Videos can be stored online, on DVDs, or in private family groups.
✅ Flexible Formats – Create documentaries, vlogs, interviews, or narrated slideshows.

1. Planning Your Genealogy Video Project

Before you hit the record button, take some time to plan your project.

Step 1: Choose a Video Format

There are many different ways to tell your family’s story through video. Consider these formats:

Family Documentary – A full-length video covering multiple generations with photos, narration, and interviews.
Oral History Interviews – Record family members sharing their memories.
Narrated Slideshow – Combine old photos with voiceover and music.
Historical Reenactments – Act out significant moments from your family’s past.
DNA & Heritage Stories – Discuss your ancestry DNA results and how they connect to family stories.
Ancestral Home Tour – Visit places where your ancestors lived and film your experience.

👉 Tip: Start with a small project if you’re new to video editing. A 3-5 minute video focusing on one ancestor is a great way to begin.

Step 2: Gather Materials

Collect materials that will bring your story to life:

📸 Photos & Documents – Family portraits, letters, newspaper clippings, military records.
🎞️ Home Videos & Audio Recordings – Old VHS tapes, cassette recordings, family movies.
🗣️ Interview Clips – Conversations with older relatives.
🌎 Maps & Historical Footage – Visuals of ancestral towns, immigration routes, and old landmarks.

Resources for Gathering Materials:

Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov) – Search historical newspapers.
Library of Congress (loc.gov) – Find historical maps, photos, and recordings.
Find A Grave (findagrave.com) – Locate ancestor graves for visuals.
FamilySearch Memories (familysearch.org/memories) – Store and organize digital records.

2. Recording Family Interviews

Interviews are one of the most powerful elements of a genealogy video. Capturing firsthand accounts from older relatives ensures that family stories are preserved for future generations.

How to Conduct a Great Genealogy Interview:

✅ Choose the Right Setting – Find a quiet place with good lighting.
✅ Use a Quality Microphone – Good audio is key; use an external mic if possible.
✅ Prepare Thoughtful Questions – Encourage storytelling rather than yes/no answers.
✅ Let the Conversation Flow – Allow for pauses and emotional moments.
✅ Record in Multiple Ways – Use video and audio backup (smartphone + camera).

Sample Interview Questions:

“What is your earliest childhood memory?”
“What traditions did our family have when you were growing up?”
“Can you tell me about a challenge our family faced?”
“What was life like for our ancestors in [specific country or town]?”
“What advice would you give future generations?”

Tools for Recording Interviews:

StoryCorps App (storycorps.org) – Great for capturing and preserving oral histories.
Rev Voice Recorder (rev.com) – Records and transcribes interviews.
Otter.ai (otter.ai) – AI-powered transcription service.

👉 Tip: If a relative is hesitant to be on camera, record just the audio and overlay it with family photos in the final video.

3. Editing Your Genealogy Video

Once you’ve gathered all your materials, it’s time to edit your video into a compelling story.

Best Video Editing Software for Beginners:

iMovie (Mac & iOS) – Simple and user-friendly.
Windows Video Editor (PC) – Free, built-in for Windows users.
WeVideo (wevideo.com) – Cloud-based, good for collaboration.
Adobe Premiere Rush – Beginner-friendly but powerful.
Canva Video Editor (canva.com) – Great for quick, polished videos.

Editing Tips for a Professional Look:

🎞️ Keep Clips Short & Engaging – Edit out pauses or repetitive speech.
🎵 Use Background Music – Soft instrumental music adds emotion but shouldn’t overpower voices.
📜 Add Subtitles & Captions – Helps with accessibility and clarity.
🔍 Use Zoom & Pan Effects – Slowly zooming into a photo creates a dynamic effect.
🎙️ Narrate the Story – Record yourself explaining historical context.

👉 Tip: If you need free, high-quality background music, try YouTube Audio Library (youtube.com/audiolibrary).

4. Sharing & Preserving Your Family Video

Once your video is complete, it’s time to share it with family and preserve it for future generations.

Ways to Share Your Video:

📧 Email & Cloud Storage – Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.
🎥 Private YouTube Link – Upload as “Unlisted” for private family sharing.
🖥️ Family Website or Blog – Share videos alongside family trees and records.
📀 Burn to DVD or Flash Drive – Create physical copies for older relatives.

Genealogy Video Hosting Platforms:

Vimeo (vimeo.com) – High-quality, ad-free video hosting.
FamilySearch Memories (familysearch.org/memories) – Stores videos along with family trees.
StoryCorps Archive (archive.storycorps.org) – Preserves recorded stories.

👉 Tip: Keep multiple backups (USB drive, cloud storage, external hard drive) to ensure your video isn’t lost.

Final Thoughts: Bringing Family History to Life

Genealogy video projects are a powerful way to preserve and share family stories. Whether you create a short oral history interview, a narrated slideshow, or a full documentary, these videos ensure that the voices and experiences of your ancestors live on for future generations.

Have you created a genealogy video? Share your experience and tips in the comments!

Additional Resources for Family History Videos:

📜 Genealogy Research: FamilySearch | Ancestry
📽️ Video Editing Tutorials: Adobe Premiere Rush
🎙️ Oral History Collection: StoryCorps

Start telling your family’s story today—one video at a time!