INTERVIEWING FAMILY MEMBERS

Presented at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library on October 14th, 2014

OVERVIEW

Personal interviews may be the best way to obtain family history information and to build relationships with family members.!!

Don’t just look at the interview as a opportunity to do genealogical research. Use this as an opportunity to spend time with a family member and let him or her share their stories.

WHO SHOULD YOU INTERVIEW?

Make a list of who you want to interview. !Include both sides of your family.!They may be older or younger than you. Different family members may have different stories that were handed down. Second cousins are a good example.!They may be family members that you know or have never met.!

Take a look at what information you are trying to learn and reach out to the family members that you think may have that information.

PREPARATION

Have questions prepared ahead of time there are many websites that list possible questions.!Decide if it will be a formal or informal interview.!Will you do a one on one interview or interview multiple people at the same time.!

With multiple people you may get different points of view and they can spark each other’s memories.!

Where will the interview take place?!Can you meet in-person? If not phone, email, Skype or letters also work.!Think about how you want to record the interview.!

Digital audio!Video recording (either in person or through Skype)!Pen and paper!

Bring memory joggers such as documents and photos that might interest or inspire the family member. You can also mention national or local history events “Where were you when JFK was shot?”!Bring family your forms so that you can reference them as needed.

CONTACTING THE FAMILY MEMBER

Tell the person who you are and how you are related to him or her.!Explain that you are doing family history or genealogical research. Give the family member some idea of what you are hoping to learn.!Allow the family member plenty of time to prepare (this gives them the opportunity to find photos or documents).!Ask permission to record the interview.!

If they say no ask them if you can take notes.!Bring the recording equipment anyway incase they change their minds.!

Recording the interview captures their image and voice for posterity’s sake. It also helps to cut back on possible note taking errors.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Verify your permission to record the interview.!Be sensitive to their comfort level and any health issues they may have.!

Potty breaks!Drinks!Meals!

Be sensitive about family stories and rumors. Avoid contradicting or correcting them. For example if you great aunt believes that you are a descendant of Abraham Lincoln or a Cherokee princess do not go into all your evidence that proves her wrong.!Take lots of notes, even if you are recording the interview.!Ask open ended questions. Avoid yes or no questions.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Let them lead the conversation if they want to, you could be taken down a wonderful unknown direction.!Do not interrogate them for names and dates. Ask them as part of the natural conversation.!If they mention things (affairs, prison time, etc.) and later feel uncomfortable sharing them respect their feelings by keeping this confidential.!Ask permission to follow up with any additional questions. Schedule the next interview right away.!Thank them!

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Make copies of notes and recordings, keep them in safe places.!Extract pertinent family history information while the interview is still fresh in your mind.!Cite your information from the interview in the correct format.!

! Title: Oral interview with Jane Smith (Jones) of Tewksbury, MA!! 20 Nov. 2014!! Author: Cindy Grove, Interviewer!! Publisher: Notes by Cindy Grove!! Location: Jane Smith's home, 14 Main Street Tewksbury, MA!

Send a thank you note.!Make a transcript of the interview, ask the family member to read it and make corrections. Ask permission to copy the report and distribute it to family members. Give a copy to the person you interviewed.!Contact other relatives you learned about.