It wasn't until 19th century that buildings were specifically designed as museums. Before that time, churches, monasteries, palaces, or state buildings that no longer served as their original purpose were used as museums. One of first buildings in Europe planned as a museum was Altes (OLD) Museum in Berlin, Germany. It was built in 1830.

The first children's museum was organized by Brooklyn Museum in New York in 1899. Today hundreds of museums designed especially for children can be found all around world. Many have programs where children can make their own models and crafts, touch artifacts or dinosaur bones.

Some museums are devoted especially to hobbies and collectibles. All over world hobbyists share their treasures and collections. The Internet is a convenient way to travel world and visit these special collections from across globe.

Related Internet Resources:

http:/ oyscollectibles.allinfo-about.com/features/museum1.html

From here you move backwards, one generation at a time. You can interview cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents. You will be surprised what a great start you will have.

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Tools

Your family detective kit will start with notebooks, pens and pencils. A glossary of genealogy terms is helpful too! Large envelopes or plastic boxes are good for keeping photographs and documents you collect on your quest. A filing system to keep you organized is very important. You might want to purchase a commercial software program to record your information. Some software allows you to insert scanned pictures, and finally publish your own family book!

Related Internet Resources:

http:/ oyscollectibles.allinfo-about.com/features/familytree.html