All those genealogical companies love white folks like me. We get to an age where we want to know where we came from and what we didn't pass on to our children because our parents passed on traditions without history or ancestral meaning. I only recently learned the origin of my grandmother's cookies and the privilege that influenced my mother's upbringing by reading about my family's pilgrimage to this country and the history of their migration across it. So growing up "white" wasn't really a rich experience. In fact, I'd guess that is why I appreciate the cultures of those around me. Also...looking back I can tell you "white trash" didn't know privilege, even if I know now there would have been no second chances without it.
That is an interesting point that culture can be handed down from parent to child. I think age-appropriate discussions of the challenges and obstacles parents faced can be very useful and enlightening for the children. Also, the rich inheritance of tradition can be very good for kids and can bond generations together.