I'm teaching a class on collecting and writing family histories, and encouraging others to tell their tales. One question that I always hear is: "Where do I start?" In this blog post, I hope to give some answers. Future posts will cover other aspects of family history writing.
The first step is to obtain your family’s stories. To do this, your best sources are family members themselves I'm going to share some information that gives you starting places. This template covers the basics for any individual. Morbidly, it would make a great outline for an obituary-- but it can provide vital information for all times of life.
LIFE STORY TEMPLATE
Full name, including nickname, if any_________________________________________________
Date of birth__________________________________________________________________________
Place of birth___________________________________________________________________________
Parents________________________________________________________________________________
Siblings_______________________________________________________________________________
Childhood, schools____________________________________________________________________
Marriage(s): date, place, name of spouse(s_____________________________________________
Education: College, university and other_______________________________________________
Employment__________________________________________________________________________
Places of residence_____________________________________________________________________
Hobbies, sports, clubs etc._____________________________________________________________
Times of joy____________________________________________________________________________
Times of disappointment_______________________________________________________________
Humor and stories_____________________________________________________________________
Family (with place of residence):
§ Spouse(s)
§ Children (in order of date of birth, and their spouses)
§ Grandchildren
§ Great-grandchildren
§ Parents
§ Grandparents
§ Siblings (in order of birth)
§ Other relationships -- such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
§ Friends; Pets (if appropriate)
Deaths (with date of death): Spouse, Children (in order of date of birth), Grandchildren Siblings (in order of date of birth), Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
SUMMATION - Scripture, quotation or poem; or select three words that sum up your life. ___________________________________________________________________________
Here are some great additional questions to ask your relatives:
QUESTIONS TO GET YOU THINKING
These questions spark reminiscences, whether you are writing your own history or interviewing someone else:
“Tell about your brothers and sisters; grandparents; cousins, aunts, uncles.”
“What schools did you attend?”
“Tell about your home.”
“What did your family do for fun?”
“How did your family come here?” (By car, “immigrant railroad train,” covered wagon?)
“What games did you play as a child? As a teenager?”
“What were your favorite toys, puzzles, or hobbies?”
“What jobs did you hold?”
“Did you take any memorable trips?”
“Tell about your clothes—a memorable dancing dress, wedding gown, military uniform, etc.—even work clothes. How did it make you feel to wear these clothes? Did you make your own clothes or did someone make them for you? Or did you buy something special with your first paycheck?”
“What was your transportation?”
“Did you have problems such as house fires or crop failures? What were your challenges? What did you learn from them?”
“Tell one of your happiest memories, and what made it so happy.”
“How did you celebrate holidays, and what were the special traditions?”
“How was your life affected by national events?” (These could include the Depression, World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam War.)
“What illnesses plagued your family, and how did family members die?” (Could use this info to start a family medical history.)
“Where are family members buried?”
And finally, here are some things to remember about conducting an oral history interview:
STEP INTO THE PAST WITH A FRIEND: ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS
Adapted from:
https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bancroft-library/oral-history-center/oral-history-tips
Before you begin: If you’re recording the interview, get the person’s permission. Your cell phones may have a great recording app, and it can be placed close to the narrator more discreetly than tape recorders of former days. Try not to turn the recorder on and off.
1. You want to get the narrator talking, so keep your own questions and commentary brief.
2. Ask questions that don’t require “yes or no” answers. Begin questions with “Why,” “Where,” “How,” and “What kind of...”
3. Ask only one question at a time
4. Start with the narrator’s youth and background; save delicate questions for later.
5. Allow for pauses—if there is silence, write a few notes and give your narrator time to collect their thoughts.
6. Don’t worry if you stumble over words here and there—it will put your subject at ease.
7. Let the narrator finish a good story; if you think of questions during a story, jot them down for later.
8. If the narrator strays into a subject that isn’t pertinent, bring her back by saying something like, “Before we move on, I’d like to find out how having your brother leave for war affected the rest of the family."
Sometimes a negative approach brings a better response. For instance, if you want to know more about a person your narrator knew, don't begin with a glowing description--few people will quarrel with with that. Start with the negative: "Aunt Trudie was well known for good works, but some said she had a sharp tongue." If your narrator knew and loved Aunt Trudie, she will defend her and tell you more about her good points. If she had felt the string of that sharp tongue, she will enlarge on that and perhaps provide some perspective.
Interviews usually work out better if there is no one present except the narrator and the interviewer. Rarely, two or more narrators can be successfully recorded.
E. End the interview at a reasonable time. An hour and a half is probably the maximum.
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