Family History Interviewing

Don’t be shy, don’t put off for another day, don’t wait for the right moment, ask your family members questions today, especially the older generations.

Family History interviewing couldn’t be more important to your own genealogy. Recording and documenting any story to connect family members to their voyages, struggles, triumphs, and history is the only way that history will not get lost. Once the person is gone, their story is gone…

Here are some tips for interviewing:

Create a list of questions to ask.
Discuss how the person will be interviewed.
Ask the person to bring memorabilia.
Provide a comfortable atmosphere.
Give them the questions beforehand.
Don’t rush, allow enough time, remember talkers like to talk.
Try not to interrupt.
Best to proceed chronologically.
Ask open ended questions, not yes or no answers.
Ask more questions to learn more about the current subject.
Be kind when there are feelings that are arising, happy or sad.
Offer breaks when needed.
Know when to call it a day.
Follow-up with your sharing of their story.