This page is a resource for Boy Scouts and Merit Badge Counselors working on the BSA Genealogy Merit Badge.
In the following table, each requirement for the badge is listed in the left column. Corresponding sections in The Family History Guide that help the Scout achieve the requirement are listed in the right column.
| BSA Genealogy Merit Badge Requirement | Corresponding Project/Goal in The Family History Guide |
| 1 Explain to your counselor what the words genealogy, ancestor, and descendant mean. | Intro to Family History |
| 2a Do a time line for yourself or for a relative. Then write a short biography based on that time line. OR: | Project 4: U.S., Goal A2 |
| 2b Keep a journal for 6 weeks. You must write in it at least once a week. | Project 2: Memories, Goal 9 |
| 3 With your parent's help, choose a relative or a family acquaintance you can interview in person, by telephone, or by email or letter. Record the information you collect so you do not forget it. | Project 2: Memories, Goal 4 |
| 4a Name three types of genealogical resources and explain how these resources can help you chart your family tree. AND | Intro to Family History (FS, Anc, FMP) |
| 4b Obtain at least one genealogical document that supports an event that is or can be recorded on your pedigree chart or family group record. The document could be found at home or at a government office, religious organization, archive, or library. AND | Project 2, Goal 1 |
| 4c Tell how you would evaluate the genealogical information you found for requirement 4b. | Project 1, Goal 8 |
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5 Contact a genealogical or lineage society, or a professional genealogist, or a surname society, or a genealogical education facility or institution, or a genealogical record repository of any type (courthouse, genealogical library, state or national archive, state library, etc.) Ask what genealogical services, records, or activities this individual or institution provides, and report the results. |
Project 6, Goal 2 OR Project 4: U.S., Goal F3 OR Project 4: U.S., Goal F5 |
| 6 Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this requirement by using the chart provided in the Genealogy merit badge pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice. | Project 1, Goal 7 |
| 7 Complete a family group record form, listing yourself and your brothers and sisters as the children. On another family group record form, show one of your parents and his or her brothers and sisters as the children. This requirement may be completed using the chart provided or the genealogy software program of your choice. | Project 1, Goal 7 |
| 8a Explain the effect computers and the Internet are having on the world of genealogy. OR |
Project 7, Goal 3 OR Project 7, Goal 4 |
| 8b Explain how photography (including microfilming) has influenced genealogy. |
Project 5, Goal 1 OR Project 5, Goal 5 |
| 9 Discuss what you have learned about your family and your family members through your genealogical research. | The Family History Guide |
Webelos Belt Loop Requirements: Project Family
For information about earning the Project Family Belt Loop for Cub Scouts, click here.