People may have countless old treasures hidden away in their attics or basements with incredible stories behind them, just waiting to be discovered. In fact, I started researching my family history because of an old tin trunk that belonged to my grandmother, Florence Crofts.

Digging into my own family tree I discovered the story of one woman, my husband's Great Aunt Dorothy Quantrill, better known as Dolly, who lived in England. She had written a letter which intrigued me because it contained some surprising information.

For me, family history was always a great summer activity for the whole family, especially on rainy days or quiet evenings after a day of basking in the sun. Researching your family history and building your family tree is a way for kids to learn about where they come from. It also allows you to do something meaningful with your time and create memories that last a lifetime.

Travelling to new places with your family can be a great chance to discover the world. Your family can explore world history, museums and monuments, meet new people and experience new cultures. To take your vacation experience to the next level, why not use your family vacation time to experience another kind of history -- your own!

Mother's Day is a wonderful time of year to think about the women in our family tree. But searching for them can sometimes prove difficult. This is where historical records such as those on Ancestry.ca can really prove helpful, especially marriage records.

Have you ever thought about your last name and where it might have come from? It's hard for us today to believe that there was a time, not that long ago, when many people didn't have a last name. So, where did last names come from, and were they assigned or randomly selected? In fact, there are a number of ways your ancestors might have first acquired the surname you currently use.