Interviewing Older Relatives about your Family History
If you are interested in genealogy, you know that there is a plethora of resources out there for you to use in your search for knowledge about your family. You know that the internet has a number of sites and resources for you and you have probably gotten a lot of information from there. In addition, libraries, town halls, and even hospitals are great sources of information as well. Have you considered, though, that perhaps the best resource for genealogy may be easier than any of these?
Many geologists are finding out that interviewing
family members is often the best way to find information on the family.
Older members of your family, especially, may be able to get you
information that goes back several generations. In addition, they can give
you hints that will help you do even further information like where those
other family members may have lived, died, worked, or even who their other
family members were. All of this information is wonderful in helping you
figure out your true family history.
One thing to be aware of as you go into your family interviewing process
is that there are times that family recollections may be wrong. Names may
be confused, times and dates may sort of mesh together in memory over the
years, and you may even find that older relatives will confuse family
members with one another. However, you will get some hints and ideas on
where to look and at what time period you should be looking. Not that the
interviews aren't important, just that you should be aware that not
everything you get from your relatives is going to be 100% accurate, but
again, it may get you going in the right direction.
When you do decide to interview family members in an effort to increase
the effectiveness of your genealogy search, make sure you are thorough.
Interview everyone because you never know who will remember what. Start
with your parents and work back, because sometimes even one generation
back will remember more than you give them credit for. Also, don't ignore
spouses. If you are researching your father's side of the family, for
example, don't neglect to talk to your mother. There are times when the
spouse will know as much or more than the blood bonded family member does.
Also, don't just assume that the older relatives are the best resources,
rather give yourself a chance by checking with everyone. Again, you never
know who might remember something that will help you down the road in your
search
Next, as you conduct your interviews, make sure you are keeping track of
what is said. Besides taking hand written notes, you may want to record
all of the interviews you conduct. It can be easy to neglect an aside or
offhand comment that may eventually lead to a clue that will help when you
go to do your research later on. Once you have recorded information on
tape and have your hand written notes, try to convert any of the
information you can into electronic form so that it is easier for you to
store and to review later on if you find yourself in need of the
information. You will find that having the information backed up will come
in handy if anything ever happens to your notebook or tape recorder down
the road.
Finally, make sure you are thorough with all questions. Ask about places
in particular because when you have a location you will have a much easier
time finding more information on your own. Ask in the interviews about
where people were born and where they died. When you know either of these,
you will have an easier time coming up with birth or death certificates
which will also list mother and father's name so that you can go back even
one more generation. So always make sure you take full advantage of the
time you get when doing an interview with family members.
Genealogy can be a lot of fun. You get to find out more about your
heritage and dig into interesting stories. With so many resources out
there, make sure you do not neglect what may be the most important one you
have: family members. Take the time to talk to family members and record
the information they give you so that you can do further research on your
own. Plus, you just never know what you might learn through the process.
About the Authors
Paul Duxbury and Kevin Cook own www.amateur-genealogist.com and
www.our-family-trees.co.uk two of the leading Genealogy Websites. In
addition Paul owns a wide range of exciting websites which can be viewed
at www.paulduxbury.com
