Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Family History Month Is Here

Your October Plan: Celebrate Family History Month!

October is the ideal time to embark on your family history journey. Choose one specific goal, such as scanning vintage photos, slides, and old home movie reels. Additionally, explore new resources, such as AI tools, record expansions, and expert guidance from ScanMyPhotos.com, to help you reconnect with your family’s story.

What Is Family History Month?

Every October, Family History Month encourages us to reflect on our past, reminding us to remember, record, and rediscover our roots. Throughout the country, libraries, archives, and genealogical groups organize free events to help individuals explore their family history and roots. These events range from scanning workshops to oral history nights, all focusing on one essential goal: preserving the stories that shape who we are. You don’t need to overhaul your entire family tree; instead, you just need one clear objective that propels your story forward. This is where this year’s theme begins.

Why 2025 Is Different

This is not just another Family History Month; it marks the most transformative year for genealogy since census records first became available online. Three significant breakthroughs are changing the way we connect the past to the present. Notably, this is the first year that AI technology has served as a new source of information and advice in genealogy.

1. New historical records are being released

Ancestry, American Ancestors, and Enslaved.org have expanded their collections, adding millions of new entries — including records of enslaved individuals whose names were missing from history. These archives are giving families long-lost connections and rewriting once blank chapters.

2. Artificial intelligence is breaking barriers

FamilySearch and RootsTech introduced AI handwriting recognition and indexing tools that make faded, handwritten records searchable. Parish books, war diaries, and 19th-century census logs can now be read by computers and shared instantly. What used to take weeks now takes minutes.

3. A nationwide community movement

This October, thousands of people are participating in genealogy classes and preservation challenges at libraries and museums. The focus on family history has evolved from a casual hobby to a vital aspect of heritage—a movement dedicated to safeguarding our memories and identities. Family history is now seen not just as a pastime, but as a narrative of justice, belonging, and love.

Set One Clear Goal for October

• Start small. Pick one project you can actually finish this month. Here are five great starting points:
• Scan and label family photos with names, dates, and stories.
• Record one 20-minute story from an older relative each week.
• Explore one new record set you’ve never touched before.
• Revisit a brick-wall ancestor with a new database or DNA tool.
• Organize digital folders by decade or surname.

“I thought our shoebox was just random snapshots. Once we scanned and labeled them, every picture became a breadcrumb. We heard voices again.” — Elena, Phoenix

“My uncle’s wartime album sat in a closet for decades. Digitizing it let our kids feel the story, not just see it.” — Marcus, Chicago

Your 4-Week Family History Plan

Week 1: Gather and Prepare

Gather your photo prints, slides, negatives, and family documents. Organize them by decade or family branch. Avoid using sticky sleeves and tape. Record any names or dates you already know. Every small detail matters.

Week 2: Digitize and Describe

Scan at high resolution (600 DPI for photos, 4,000 DPI for 35mm slides and film negatives). If you’d rather not risk your originals, consider using a professional scanning service like ScanMyPhotos.com, which offers archival-quality scanning, optional TIFF upgrades, GPS-tracked shipping, and more helpful tools. Rename files using who-what-when-where and write a brief caption — even if details are uncertain. That click of the scanner isn’t just a sound… it’s the heartbeat of a memory returning to life.

Week 3: Research and Verify

Utilize the latest AI tools to explore newly searchable records. Check the information on neighbors, witnesses, and in-laws, as they may hold valuable clues. Focus on one lead at a time and be sure to document your sources. Investigate Ancestry’s expanded records of enslaved individuals or FamilySearch’s new handwritten archives. If you haven’t ventured beyond your direct lineage before, this is the perfect month to start!

Week 4: Share and Preserve

Upload all your files to a cloud drive or backup service. Create a shared folder where relatives can add notes and tags. Ensure you back up your files in two separate locations. For older relatives, consider printing a small photo book—something tangible that transforms digital memories back into emotional keepsakes.

Expert Tips for Getting the Most from Family History Month

✅ Start with one surname or one decade.
✅ Label photos even if you’re unsure — a guess is better than silence.
✅ Add metadata to every file (right-click → properties → details).
✅ Attend one library or historical society event this month.
✅ Store originals in acid-free envelopes, away from light and moisture.

How ScanMyPhotos Serves as a Guidepost

At ScanMyPhotos, we’ve seen firsthand how one labeled photo can reconnect entire generations. Since 1990, our team has helped families, museums, and archivists preserve their images. Whether it’s a single shoebox of historic photographs, a 100,000-photo rescue project, the mission is simple — protect history before it fades. When you digitize, you don’t just back up pictures. You safeguard feelings, laughter, and voices that would otherwise disappear.

Why It Matters

According to Pew Research, nearly 60% of Americans wish they knew more about their ancestors. Family History Month encourages us to pause our scrolling and start exploring our heritage. Each scan, every name, and every small detail represents a connection—proof that the past lives on within us. Your family’s legacy doesn’t end up in a box; it continues every time you press “scan.”

Next Steps

• Select your October goal and record it.
• Scan photos this week and label what you know.
• Join a free genealogy class at your library.
• Post one “photo story” each week using #OctoberFamilyHistory2025.
• Inspire others to do the same. Every saved story strengthens us all.

Family History Month FAQs

Q: What is Family History Month? A: It’s a national event each October that encourages people to preserve, research, and celebrate their family stories through genealogy, scanning, and interviews.

Q: How does digitizing help my family history? A: Digitizing photos prevents loss and makes sharing easy. During October Family History Month, it’s the simplest step you can take to move your story forward.

Q: Do I need special software? A: No. Just a scanner or a trusted service like ScanMyPhotos, plus organized folders and descriptive file names.

Editorial Note

Written by Mitch Goldstone, Founder & Chief Photo Archivist at ScanMyPhotos, with contributions from families across the U.S. who turned their forgotten photos into living legacies.

🕰️ Join the Family History Month Challenge! Digitize your family photos by October 31. Label each one. Share your story online with #OctoberFamilyHistory2025. Your story could inspire the next generation.