2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. 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.