Gathering Family Information

Handout

Click here to view or download the Lesson 5a handout

Additional Resources

Talks by General Authorities

• Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes by Elder Neuenschwander (Ensign, May 1999, 83).

Possible Handouts

• In FamilySearch's Family History Lesson series, there is a great 3-minute presentation containing information for how to Conduct Family History Interviews. There is an excellent handout and is highly recommended to be given to students.
• The History Channel has "Guidelines for Oral History Interviews" that can be adapted to family history interviews. Some parts of this workbook could be handed out in class.
• Top 10 Tips for Great Interview Stories is another helpful website with interviewing tips.

Tips on Gathering Family Information

• Many families have a "kin keeper," someone who keeps the family photographs and records. Often the kin keeper is not in your immediate family, but will be found in your extended family.
  
  • Find out who the kin keeper is in your family.
  • Remember: don't overlook step-families or distant relatives. Crucial information may not always be within your own immediate family, but may be found outside of your immediate family.
  • Often family records are kept by women, but sometimes there are men in the family who keep the records.

Interview Tips

• Genealogy.com has information concerning the whole interviewing process. It contains useful information such as preparing for the interview, interview etiquette, and preserving the interview.
• When choosing relatives to interview, it would be worth your while to interview your oldest living relatives first. They can remember generations of your family that you may have never had the opportunity to meet. They can relate experiences and information that could be lost if not recorded.

Before the Interview

• Before the interview it is helpful to make a written request for copies of any documents or pictures. It is valuable to have a copy of the original documents. It is considerate to offer to cover the expenses of the copies.
• To ensure accuracy, ask the person being interviewed to provide dates and places in writing.
• Organize a list of questions you would like to ask beforehand so nothing is forgotten. Take your list with you into the interview. As your questions are answered, write down additional questions that come to mind as they are talking. Then you will be able to ask follow up questions as the interview progresses.
  
  • The article 50 Questions for Family History Interviews: What to Ask Relatives contains examples of questions that can be used in an interview.
• Make sure to label any tapes, CDs, or DVDs that you'll be using for the interview.

During the Interview

• Begin the interview by identifying who you are, who you are interviewing, and when and where the interview is being conducted.
• Ask open ended questions: let them tell their story. Avoid questions that can be answered with yes or no. For example, ask, "When you were growing up what were your favorite songs and music?" instead of "When you were growing up did you like jazz music?"
• In addition to asking about things that you would like to know, allow them to share things they would like others to know.
• Digital Voice Recorders are a great tool to use during an interview. You can record the interview and then transcribe it later.
• Remember that several interview sessions may be needed to cover all of your questions and interests. Don't rush through the first interview because you feel that you have to cover it all.
• Be sensitive to the interviewee, don't interview longer than the person can really handle. It is better to split it up into several sessions than try to have an interview marathon.

After the Interview

• When transcribing the interview, use the words the individual actually said.
• If you record the interview, offer to send them a copy of the interview, both of the transcription and recording, after you are finished. Remember to label any tapes, CDs or DVDs you make or send.
• Send a "Thank You" note to the individual that you interviewed.
• If you share the interview, be aware of information concerning living people. Be aware of privacy laws. If they are living and you are sharing the information with anyone other than close family and friends, exclude any identifying information on living individuals.

Additional Ways to do Interviews

• While this lesson focuses on formal interviews, students should be encouraged to look for and take advantage of opportunities at family gatherings and on special occasions to informally interview family members.
• Technology is a wonderful thing! Consider setting up a website or blog where family members can post family photos or memories. This way it is also accessible to your whole family.
• Use email to ask family members the types of questions that you would have asked in an oral interview. This way might not seem as overwhelming as an interview, but you get the same results.

Suggested Additional Assignments

Have students choose a relative to interview.

• Encourage students to prepare for and set up a time this week when they can conduct the interview.
• See the above "Guidelines for Oral History Interviews" by The History Channel which has some forms that can be easily adapted and printed out for these assignments.