I’ve adapted Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 ancestors in 52 weeks challenge.

Each week’s post follows my children’s ahnentafel numbering, which determines the featured ancestor.

This ensures no one until mid-sixth generation gets left behind.

A Breakthrough Moment

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2026 Week 05

Introduction

My Week 5 ancestor is my mother-in-law, Lillian Goode Birnbaum.

Your breakthrough doesn’t have to solve a brick wall or uncover a new record, it only has to change how you understand an ancestor.

Discussion

I’m writing an ancestors book for my children. (I say “for my children” because that was its original intent, and still is the primary purpose, but it does serve to drive me and orient me toward a north star.) The trick is, none of them is into family history, so I knew I had to do much more than a dry recitation of vital records. I needed to find color and quirks and stories.

What to write of my mother-in-law, Goodie? I knew her and I adored her. She was a terrific mother-in-law and an even better grandmother. But the necessary flavor for her quick biography in the ancestors book was eluding me.

Then, I stumbled upon My Breakthrough Moment. While cleaning out my boys’ school papers, I found a homework assignment my older son had written about his grandmother. I’m not sure where the original is, but I’ve reproduced the story here for your enjoyment. Not only does it add depth to Goodie’s life, but it’s through the eyes of a child – one of the intended recipients of this book.

Challenge

You’re not behind, jump in where you are! Look for stories, not records.

Talk to someone. Ask a single question. Follow up on an answer that surprises you. If you’ve already interviewed them, try again with a different angle: childhood, work, a difficult moment, or a small everyday habit.

One of my own reminders came when my younger son once interviewed me about the Challenger tragedy, forty years ago today. Adding the context of where I was in my life at the time turned a historical event into part of my story. Even moments that don’t seem like “family history” at first can help reveal who a person really was.

Want to Learn More?

There are many paid prompts out there. Storied, for example, or writing journals.

AI Disclosure

This post was created by me with the help of AI tools. While AI helps organize research, the storytelling and discoveries are my own.

Next Week’s Topic: Favorite Photo