How the Rumor of National Family History Month Came To Be

At the start of October, I saw several references to National Family History Month and I decided to research its origins. I made an interesting discovery...there is no National Family History Month.

I saw references to National Family History Month on several reputable websites. Some articles were from this year, some were from past years. This rumor is fairly widespread with bloggers, genealogical companies, and even a government agency spreading it.

How did this rumor come to be?

In 2001, the Senate unanimously passed a Simple Resolution designating October of that year as Family History Month.1 But understanding what a Simple Resolution is will help understand the issue. A simple resolution in the Senate addresses matters entirely within their prerogative “such as revising the standing rules of one Chamber...or to express the sentiments of a single house, such as offering to the family of a deceased member of Congress, or it may give ‘advice’ on foreign policy or other executive business.”2

In regards to this simple resolution, it

“Resolved, That the Senate –

(1) designates the month of October 2001, as “Family History Month”; and

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” 3

The Senate’s request for the President to issue a proclamation went unheard, and no proclamation was made.4 This left the designation of October 2001 (not every October) as Family History Month merely a resolution of the Senate, basically an official suggestion.

Genealogists across the nation were likely excited for governmental recognition for the work they loved and many have decided to join forces. Each company and organization can designate October as their own Family History Month, just as the Senate did back in 2001. However, that doesn’t make it National Family History Month. But any recognition of Family History is worth getting excited over.

Happy Family History Month

I’m happy to join in celebrating Family History Month, even if it isn’t an official celebration! Family History Month has a better ring to it than “20th Anniversary of the Senate celebrating Family History.” Family History is awesome and I’m glad it was recognized by the Senate, even if it was 20 years ago.

So let’s celebrate our ancestors and the history that is our own!

  1. One Hundred Seventh Untited States Congress, First Session, S. RES. 160: Designating the month of October 2001, as “Family History Month”, retrieved 7 October 2021. ↩

  2. “Types of Legislation”, Chapter 4: Simple Resolutions, United States Senate (www.senate.gov: accessed 7 Oct 2021). ↩

  3. One Hundred Seventh Untited States Congress, First Session, S. RES. 160: Designating the month of October 2001, as “Family History Month”, retrieved 7 October 2021. ↩

  4. George W. Bush, “Presidential News and Speeches”, The White House (https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov: accessed 7 October 2021). ↩

Comments

Comments powered by Talkyard.