January Content Ideas for Genealogy Enthusiasts

January marks the start of a new year, bringing fresh opportunities to connect with your genealogy audience on social media. From celebrating national holidays to reflecting on historical events, January is full of inspiration for your content calendar. Here are some engaging ideas to spark creativity and a challenge to kick off the year!

National Days to Celebrate in January

🗓️ New Year’s Day (January 1)

Share your genealogy goals for the year or invite your audience to share theirs. Post a throwback photo of past New Year’s celebrations in your family.

🗓️ National Trivia Day (January 4)

Share a fun historical fact or trivia question related to your family history or a historical event. Host a trivia quiz about genealogy or famous historical figures on your social media.

🗓️ National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (January 9)

Highlight ancestors or relatives who served in law enforcement. Share resources for researching police or sheriff records in genealogy.

🗓️ National Pharmacist Day (January 12)

Post about a family member who worked in healthcare or pharmaceuticals. Share insights on researching occupational records in genealogy, such as pharmacy school records or directories.

🗓️ National Hat Day (January 15)

Share old family photos featuring stylish hats or headwear trends of the past. Encourage followers to post pictures of ancestors in their favorite hats.

🗓️ National Religious Freedom Day (January 16)

Explore the role of religion in your family’s history. Share tips for researching church records, such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals.

🗓️ National Bootlegger’s Day (January 17)

Highlight stories about family members who lived during Prohibition. Share resources for researching ancestors with ties to the liquor industry—or tales of bootlegging!

🗓️ Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)

Highlight Dr. King’s contributions to civil rights and share stories of family members who lived through the Civil Rights Movement. Encourage your audience to explore family history within the context of societal changes during this era.

🗓️ National Handwriting Day (January 23)

Post a photo of handwritten letters, journals, or documents from your research. Discuss the importance of preserving handwritten family materials and share tips for deciphering old handwriting.

🗓️ National Spouse’s Day (January 26)

Share wedding photos or stories of ancestors’ marriages. Post a timeline or visual journey of your grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ relationship.

🗓️ National Puzzle Day (January 29)

Compare genealogy research to solving a puzzle and share a tricky "puzzle" you’ve solved in your family history. Host a challenge for followers to piece together a mystery using clues you provide.

Historical Events in January

🗓️ Ellis Island Opened (January 1, 1892)

Share resources for researching immigrant ancestors. Post about your own family’s immigration story, if applicable.

🗓️ The Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863)

Discuss how this historical event shaped families and communities. Highlight tools for researching African American genealogy post-Civil War.

🗓️ Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday (January 17, 1706)

Celebrate by sharing quirky or inspirational quotes from Franklin. Reflect on the value of preserving personal writings like journals or letters in genealogy.

🗓️ Apollo 1 Tragedy (January 27, 1967)

Post about how historical events like space exploration impact family stories. Share research tips for uncovering relatives who may have worked in STEM fields.

Pro Tip for Posting: Pair each National and Historical Days with relevant hashtags to increase reach (e.g., #NationalTriviaDay, #GenealogyResearch, #FamilyHistory). You can also invite your followers to engage by sharing their own stories, photos, or discoveries related to these themes.

Incorporating these days into your content will keep your social media presence fresh and engaging while tying into the genealogy community’s shared interests.