Using oral histories to help African villages recognize who they are and where they've come from through family histories and oral histories. Family Gathering's Grant Nielsen talks with Family Search's Oral History Program Manager Brent Hansen and Oral History Project Coordinator Pamela Hirwa about how Familysearch.org has been helping to make these villages better preserve their heritage, and lifestyle in a village where much of the history has only been passed down through oral stories previously.

Oral history is more than a history, it really is an identity. Family Gathering's Grant Nielsen talks with Family Search's Oral History Program Manager Brent Hansen and Oral History Project Coordinator Pamela Hirwa about how important family histories in determining their lineage. Oral histories are so important because they describe the people and their way of life. It's how people would identify where they came from and would earn them respect as members of the community.

Gathering host Grant Nielsen to talk about family history for beginners. Gregg's uncle gave up family history when he lost his eyesight. After that, everything was turned over to Gregg, who was surprised to find included in the research was his grandfather's resume.  It turns out his grandfather, whom he had never met, lived in Europe for several years and spoke multiple languages.

Grant Nielsen, host of Family Gathering interviews Mike Sandberg and Gregg Richardson of Family Search who have done genealogy work in West Africa. Villages in Africa don't have many paper records, and much of the family history is oral. Since many families have to travel great distances to get whatever paper records there may be, making sure oral histories are available is a goal Mike and Gregg think they can accomplish.

Lots of people feel like they're not good enough at computers to do meaningful family history.  That's especially true with older generations.  The trick is to take smaller steps.. Family Gathering's Grant Nielsen is joined by Mike Sandberg and Gregg Richardson of Family Search who say to try family history on a tablet like an iPad because they tend to be pretty easy to understand. Still not sure? Mike and Gregg help people who are just starting their genealogy and family history journey.

If you haven't done any genealogy or family history research it can seem like a daunting task. Family Gathering host Grant Nielsen is joined by Mike Sandberg and Gregg Richardson of Family Search to talk about family history for beginners. Gregg and Mike say the best place to start is at home. Record your stories, your parent's stories, and your grandparent's stories.

It's important to share family histories, and one way to do that is over a delicious plate of homemade food. Food is the basis for so many gatherings, and often includes recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Grant Nielsen, the host of Family Gathering, is joined by Paul Matta and Wendy Smedley swap stories about their family food traditions and why they are so important to who they are.

Family Gathering host Grant Nielsen talks food with Paul Matta and Wendy Smedley with Family Search.

Paul has  a family recipe featuring a special pepper that doesn't grow locally.  To get the recipe right, he had to procure and keep a special plant.  That shows dedication to family tradition!

Family dinner is a chance to set aside electronic devices and talk about your day.  That's an opportunity to create a family identity.

It's all about food on this episode of Family Gathering.  Host Grant Nielsen has learned that food is a huge part of our family history.  Wendy Smedley and Paul Matta of Family Search has some info on collecting your culinary traditions.

Ask your family members about the food they prepare for family events.  Why do they make certain things from scratch that easily come in a can?  Where did recipes come from?  How long have they been making the recipe.

Family Gathering host Grant Nielsen is joined by Wendy Smedley and Paul Matta of Family Search.  They talk about an incredibly important part of family history- the dinner table.

Lots of our great family moments involve food and families often have culinary traditions passed down through generations.

If you want to get your hands on your grandma's secret recipe, send in the children to help her out.  Use those things to strengthen your family.