Interviewing

The best way to learn about your family is to interview your relatives, especially the older ones, about their memories. It's best if you can tape record or videotape the interviews. Most people feel uncomfortable with this at first but as soon as they begin to talk, they forget all about the recorder. If possible, use 90-minute tapes so there will be few interruptions. Be sure to check the recorder at first to be sure it's picking up everyone's voices. Turn off the TV and radio, even unplug the telephone if possible so there will not be confusing background noise or unnecessary interruptions. These tapes will be valuable source material in later years if someone wants to write a book or long family history.

Before the interview.

Find out all you can about the person you are going to interview.
Think of questions you would like to ask the person and write them down. A list of questions you might ask a grandparent or great-grandparent are listed below.
Call the person you want to interview in advance.
Set up a time and place for the interview.
Explain why you want to talk and tell the person how much you'll appreciate their help.
Ask if you may tape the interview.

During the interview.

It may be hard for people to talk about the past because of sad memories or other concerns. Show respect and do not insist on answers. Change the subject or ask another question if the person you're interviewing seems uncomfortable.
Show interest. Be a good listener.
Do not interrupt. Let the person talk. Don't worry about getting all the questions answered. The purpose of questioning is to start the person talking. The best stories come from the free flow of memories.
End the interview if the person seems tired, especially if he/she is old. Continue it later.

After the interview.

Thank the person. If you wish, ask if the person would like to continue the interview later.
Write a thank you note within 10 days.

Possible questions to help the person get started talking:

What country did your family come from? When did they arrive in this country?
Where did your ancestors first settle?
Do you know the names of any relatives in the "old country"?
What else do you know about your ancestors?
Where were you born? Did you live in a big city, small town, or in the country?
What was life like for you when you were my age?
What did your house look like?
Did you live on a farm? Did you raise animals? Crops?
What kind of fuel did you use for heating and cooking?
How many hours did your parents usually work each day? each week?
How did you get to school?
What kind of car did your family have? How much did it cost?
What did you do for fun?
Did your family have a TV? What were your favorite TV shows? How was TV different?
Did your family go on vacation? How did they travel?
What were the roads like?
What kind of job did you have and why did you do that kind of work?
Are there any things you used then that we don't use now?
In what ways did you like the "good old days" better?
In what ways do you like these days better?