Many people approach me and ask if it is a good idea to buy their name or their family name, for example, thejohnsons.com or davejohnson.com.  My reaction is mixed on this subject.  Most of the time I ask if they have any plans for the domain, like a blog or a website.  If they say no then I say there is no reason to buy it.  If they think they might have plans for it in a couple of years then, yes, by all means get it while you can.

There is no reason to buy and hold onto a domain if it is only going to have a page parked here logo on it for the duration of your lifetime. However, if you have plans for a family page in the next couple of years, buy it up.  Most people are surprised by the fact that there is almost always someone out there with the same name as themselves and it is pretty likely that they will want that domain name at some point.

Good reason to buy your family domain:
•    Family Blog to keep everyone up to date
•    Family photo gallery (grandparents love to see the kiddies)
•    Family project (building a house, finishing a basement, remodeling)
•    Pregnancy log

As always be careful what you put on the Internet because it is public for everyone to see and read.  Family information might need password protection or require a certain amount of anonymity to keep everyone safe (but that is a whole other post).