Family Archive Paperweight - United States Census

Keep of piece of your family history close at hand by creating a paperweight that showcases an excerpt from the United States Federal Census.  Copies of original, handwritten census pages from 1940 and earlier are available online, usually free of charge.

I used Ancestry.com as the source for my family's census information.  From Ancestry's main page, click Search from the top navigation menu and select Census & Voter Lists.  From there, enter as much information as possible about the family member you're looking for.  Once you perform your search, a list of possible matches will appear.  Underneath the title of the document for your ancestor, click the "View Image" link to view a copy of the report.

Ancestry.com has built-in printing options that will allow you to print the entire document or zoom in.  I used the zoom feature and printed the report in landscape mode, along the length of the paper.  Although I printed onto white paper, you can print your report on paper with a slight color or an aged look to it to add warmth and interest.

In addition to creating a paperweight that reflects your family's history, you can also have fun searching for your favorite celebrities and notable figures of the era.

I hope this project helps you learn a little more about your family tree while being able to create a valued memento for you desk or a thoughtful gift for someone you know.

Wallpaper Paperweights Made With Scraps and Samples

I'm often asked about the types of items that can be used to create easy paperweights as gifts that look as though they came out of an elegant boutique.  Wallpaper is among my favorite things to recommend.

Wallpaper is available in an endless variety of designs, textures, and colors.  In addition to current patterns and reproductions, it's also possible to find samples from each decade dating back more than a century.  Turning these vintage scraps into paperweights is a wonderful way to save and display these printed treasures.

If you're shopping for patterns in the store, and don't want to purchase a full roll, ask the clerk if it would be possible to order a sample.  If you have your heart set on something truly vintage, I'd recommend Ebay.  While vintage paper may turn up at tag sales from time-to-time, Ebay will likely have hundreds of listings for you to choose from.