Simply Jaimie

 One of my favorite places to find family history inspiration is the children's section of the library. Every week, I come home with a stack of books, hoping to discover stories that spark conversations about family, identity, memories, traditions, and the people who have shaped our lives. As a family historian, I am always looking for books that help children connect with their own story. Some books inspire meaningful conversations. Some introduce important family history concepts. Others are simply wonderful stories that help children see themselves and their families in new ways. That's what inspired this new series: Library Roundup: Buy, Borrow, or Leave on the Shelf . In each roundup, I'll share recent library reads and give my verdict about whether I would: buy, borrow again from the library , or leave on the shelf next time . Along the way, I'll highlight the family history themes, discussion opportunities, and activities that each book might inspire. Whether yo...

What family gathering do you remember most? What made it special? One of my favorite books about family is The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. The story follows a family who travels a long distance to spend the summer with their relatives. The house becomes full of laughter, shared meals, late-night conversations, and children playing together. Although the visit eventually comes to an end, the memories remain long after everyone returns home. Family history isn't just about preserving names and dates. It's also about remembering the moments that brought us together. Family reunions, holiday celebrations, Sunday dinners, birthdays, and summer visits often become the stories we tell again and again. They strengthen relationships and create memories that future generations will cherish. For me, one of those memories is from the summer of 2008 when my aunt and cousin came to visit us in California. They were traveling to spread my uncle's ashes at one of his favorite vacati...

 "fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." 2 Kings 6:16 Elisha's servant believed they were alone. All he could see was the enemy surrounding the city. But Elisha knew there was another reality that his servant could not yet see. When the Lord opened the servant's eyes, he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire protecting them. I wonder how often we feel the same way. Family history has taught me that our family extends beyond those who are sitting around our dinner table. Because of the Savior, families continue beyond the veil. While we cannot always see them, I believe our ancestors are deeply interested in our lives. They rejoice in our successes, care about our struggles, and desire for us to come unto Christ. President Joseph F. Smith taught: "We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever... They see the temptations and evils that beset us ...

One of the greatest regrets in family history is not asking the questions while we still had the chance. We often assume there will always be another family dinner, another holiday, or another visit with a parent or grandparent. Then one day, we realize there are stories we never heard, memories we never recorded, and questions that can no longer be answered. The good news is that it doesn't take a formal interview to preserve a family story. Sometimes one thoughtful question is all it takes to unlock a memory that has been waiting to be shared. These 25 questions are designed to help you start those conversations today. Ask one question over dinner, during a phone call, or while looking through old photographs together. You may discover stories that become some of your family's greatest treasures. to download/print the 25 questions simply click here or on the image below

One of the greatest gifts family history offers is the reminder that love does not end when someone dies. While we cannot stop death from entering our lives, we can choose to remember. We can tell stories, preserve photographs, record memories, and continue speaking the names of those who helped shape us. In many ways, family history is an expression of enduring love. This is one of the reasons I chose to spotlight The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. Beneath the mystery, adventure, and fantasy lies a deeply moving story about love, loss, grief, and the fear of what comes next. As the characters wrestle with difficult questions about death and what it means to let go, readers are gently reminded that grief is a reflection of love and that remembering those we have lost is part of healing. One of the things I appreciated most about this book is that it doesn't pretend grief is simple. Instead, it acknowledges that love and loss often exist together. That truth feels...

The Fourth of July is often filled with traditions that become some of our favorite family memories. Fireworks lighting up the night sky, neighborhood parades, backyard barbecues, sparklers, watermelon, laughter, and time spent with the people we love all become part of our family story. These 25 memory prompts are designed to help you preserve those moments before they fade. Whether your memories are from childhood or celebrations with your own family today, each prompt is an opportunity to record the traditions, people, and experiences that made the holiday meaningful. If you don't celebrate the Fourth of July, use these prompts to reflect on another summer holiday or family tradition. The goal isn't to remember a specific celebration—it's to preserve the stories that bring your family together and become part of your legacy. to download/print these memory prompts simply click here or on the image below