Congratulations to the winners of our 2020 essay competition, which commemorated the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage.
Young Family Historians Essay Contest 2023 hero


Young Family Historians Essay Contest

The 2023 American Ancestors Young Family Historians Essay Contest asks students across the nation to explore what they’ve learned about themselves, the community, and the nation by reflecting on a story from their personal family history. Students enrolled in grades 4–12 in public, private, parochial, and home schools across the nation are invited to participate.
We encourage teachers to use this essay contest as a class project. Use lessons from our free Family History Curriculum to help students explore their roots, and have students submit an essay as a final project. You can also download a flyer to promote the contest to your students.
Select and research a story from your family history. What have you learned about yourself, a community, and the nation from this story?
Students currently enrolled in grades 4–12 in public, private, parochial, and home schools in the United States.
April 1, 2023
Grades 4-6: 500 words
Grades 7-8: 750 words
Grades 9-12: 1,000 words
Number all pages
Double-spaced
12 pt Times New Roman
1 inch margins left and right, top and bottom
Submission file must be a PDF
Winner: $500
Semifinalist: $250
Winner: $500
Semifinalist: $250
Winner: $500
Semifinalist: $250
In addition, all winners and semifinalists will receive a one-year student membership to American Ancestors.
Students will not be judged on the specific details of their family history. Essays will be judged based on the following criteria.
Read the winning essays from the 2020 Young Family Historians Essay Contest