General Family History

Blazon Your History
Design your own personal coat of arms depicting you and your family’s history and interests.
http://www.dresselgenealogy.us/images/empty-coat-of-arms.jpg

Using the template below, illustrate with your own pictures and words (If needed) the four areas of interest listed below.

You must include each of these four areas of interest:
1. Culture-What are your family’s customs, traditions, languages, or holidays?
2. Leisure Activities- What do you and your family do for fun, exercise, or family time?
3. Education – What is your schooling or your family’s schooling or degrees they’ve earned?
4. Work – Where do you and your family or relatives work?

Write your name, motto, or a symbolic word for your family on the ribbon at the bottom.


Blazon Your History (2nd page)

Blazon- to create or describe a coat of arms

Coats of Arms date to the early Middle Ages. In the early twelfth century, helmets and other armor began making it difficult to tell armed warriors apart. The solution was for each knight or soldier to paint something personal on their shield. These designs were important in battle, but they also functioned like team uniforms when knights met in tournaments. Over time, shield emblem designs became enduring symbols of their owners, and of their owners' families.

Different colors represented different ideas on a coat of arms
Yellow or Gold - Generosity
White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity
Black - Constancy (& sometimes Grief)
Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness
Red - Military Fortitude & Magnanimity
Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty
Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice

Different animals represented different ideas on a coat of arms
Bear - Protectiveness
Bee - Industriousness
Camel - Perseverance
Dog - Loyalty
Double Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & Decisiveness
Dragon - Defender of Treasure
Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness
Fox - Cleverness
Griffin (part eagle, part lion) - Bravery
Horse - Readiness to Serve
Lion - Courage
Pelican - Generosity & Devotion
Raven - Constancy
Snake - Ambition
Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & Harmony
Tiger - Fierceness & Valor
Unicorn - Extreme courage
Wolf - Constant Vigilance