The Next Generation

Photo courtesy Wikipedia. 

All family historians struggle with how to engage the next generation of genealogists so that the family legacy can continue.

I say, "Get 'em while they're young!"

And the following books can help you accomplish that.

The first three books explore the local history of Medina County and they are appropriate for  younger children, from infancy, when a parent is reading to them, up to about the 4th grade.

A portrait of Captain Martin Van Buren Bates and his wife,
Anna Swan Bates. Photo courtesy of the Medina Library's
collection. 

Most Medinians know the story of Captain Martin Van Buren Bates and his lovely wife, Anna (Swan) Bates, more commonly known as "The Giants of Seville." The couple were once well known throughout Europe, all of America, as well as in Medina County, Their story can serve as an introduction for young readers into the fascinating circle of local history.

The GIANT of Seville a "Tall" Tale Based on a True Story
by Dan Andreasen.

This first book is a little older, 2007, and focuses on the story of how Captain Martin Van Buren Bates chose Seville, Ohio as their home away from the circus. Wonderfully illustrated, it is a fictionalized account of how the citizens of Seville went out of their way to make the Giant feel comfortable in their small town.

Here, Captain Martin Van Buren Bates enjoys stack after stack of
flapjacks at a fictional boarding house. Later in the tale, he crashes
through the floor during a square dance. The illustrations are not to scale!

The True Tale of a GIANTESS by Anne Renaud is a new release and focuses on the life of Anna Swan who married Captain Martin Van Buren Bates and became part of the largest married couple in the world during the 1800's.

It is beautifully illustrated and sticks a little closer to reality. Anna was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada and this book follows her as she grows up and leaves the farm to become celebrated across Europe and the United States. It ends with the couple settling down in Seville.

Soon coming to the Medina Library collections, this September 2018 copyrighted book will
delight any young reader. The will be thrilled to learn that GIANTS actually lived in their county!

In this charming illustration, Anna is coaxing her pet monkey, Buttons,
 out of the tree on their Seville Ohio farm.

Also, a little older book, Olden Days of Medina a Children's Guide to Medina History by Mollie Wilson and Susan Lucht gives a child-sized introduction into the history of Medina County. This title is harder to obtain, as all of the remaining copies are "FOR IN-LIBRARY-USE" only. You could contact the publishers, History Galls Publishing at 8344 West Smith Road in Medina.

Cover of the Medina history book for children, Olden Days of Medina.

Entry on Letha Morse House. Besides the foundation that still bears her name, there is also a county park named for her.

The last title is National Geographic Kids Guide to Genealogy by T.J. Resler. This book came out just spring of this year and is geared towards an older audience, grades 3-6 and is an introduction to genealogy.

This book is packed full of all the information a promising young genealogist will need to start their quest for their family history.

It is nicely illustrated and includes tips and trivia along the way. 

Did you know that Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor who plays Sherlock Holmes on the TV show, is a 16th cousin, twice removed of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the creator of the character?!

And if you want to know what it means to be a cousin twice removed, be sure to investigate  this book for yourself.

This would make a perfect gift for a budding genealogist. And if you don't believe me, check it out and see for yourself!