Hi Dee,
Ironically, we are on our way to Chicago this evening for our family reunion this weekend, in which I too have to give the Family History "speech" at the banquet. In the past, I've done the history presentation using Powerpoint and an overhead project, showing diagrams, trees, etc. to help everyone understand the structure of the tree and to get an "organized picture" of what I was discussing. But, due to the larger attendance number this year, I've been told that there won't be room in the ballroom for a projector setup. So, I will have to give a "speech" without showing diagrams. In my "speech", I am including a lot of the interesting tales/family stories told to me by my elderly relatives about their grandfather (my great-grandfather) who was the patriarch of the family. Fortunately, this side of my family has a lot of oral history and people like to hear about "juicy" stuff. :) I've also rehearsed my "speech" where I can put expressions in the proper places rather than getting up there just reading something off a piece of paper. (Pray for me that it will go well). Like I told a cousin recently, I hope to deliver the history "speech" Jessie-Jackson style. (smile)

Hope this helps....good luck with your reunion and speech!!

Mel