Questions for a Genealogy Interview
Thanksgiving and the holidays are the PERFECT time to do family interviews. Everyone is together and in the mood for talking! Really, though, don't wait for that special occasion. Do it whenever you can, and don't put it off. Those memories are priceless, and they are also very fragile.
Often, family can be intimidated by the thought of their stories becoming permanent. Make it as casual and friendly as you can. Tape recorders are GREAT, they just run in the background without you scribbling notes furiously. Just put it somewhere out of sight and soon it'll be forgotten in the fun of sharing stories.
Here are some questions to get you started!
* What toys did you play with when you were growing up?
* What was your Christmas/Holiday like? What were the decorations like?
* Did you use candles or lights to decorate with?
* What meals did you have around the holidays? Special Desserts?
* What traditions did you have? What did you look forward to the most?
* Did you believe in Santa Claus? What did you think he looked like?
* What special clothes would you wear?
* What were your parents' favorite sayings around this time?
* Were there special songs you sang or listened to?
* Did you have any myths you believed in, the Doodle Bug, Gods of Thunder, etc?
If you keep your ears open as you talk, you'll have numerous other questions spring to mind!
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Note - Lisa Shea wrote this content for the genealogy site at BellaOnline.com - you might still find this content there as well. That's fine :) I gave permission!
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