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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
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== Whom to Interview == | == Whom to Interview == | ||
Your first task is to decide whom to interview and why. You may want to interview someone who can provide information about a particular ancestor. Or you may want to do more general interviews with perhaps your oldest living relative, another member of | Your first task is to decide whom to interview and why. You may want to interview someone who can provide information about a particular ancestor. Or you may want to do more general interviews with perhaps your oldest living relative, another member of your family, your town’s oldest resident, a neighbor, or anyone who may have ties to or information about your family. You should usually conduct interviews one on one. Some situations, however, such as extended family gatherings, may provide a unique opportunity to capture the memories of several people at one time. In this sort of situation, you might simply set up your video or tape recorder and introduce a discussion topic to the group, such as inviting them to share their favorite memories of Grandma. As the group shares their memories, individuals will tend to remember more than they would if they were interviewed alone. Keep in mind that you may not always be able to distinguish who is saying what on the recording on the group session, particularly if you only have an audio recording. And group noise may make parts of the interview inaudible. You can compensate for those disadvantages by using more than one recording device and by identifying the different voices as soon as possible after the recording session. | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Face-to-face interviews are usually the most effective. If the person you want to interview does not live close to you, however, a telephone interview is an alternative. See appendix A for information about various recording options. Also see Digital Sound | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Face-to-face interviews are usually the most effective. If the person you want to interview does not live close to you, however, a telephone interview is an alternative. See appendix A for information about various recording options. Also see Digital Sound | ||
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'''• Open-Ended Questions.''' ''Usually the most successful interview comes when the interviewee discusses whatever is most important to him or her. You can lead an interviewee to discuss interests by asking open-ended questions, such as “What are your fondest memories of your mother?” or “How did you meet your husband?” or “What was your greatest challenge as a child?” These questions require more than one or two words to answer and will encourage the interviewee to talk. See appendix B for a list of sample questions.'' | '''• Open-Ended Questions.''' ''Usually the most successful interview comes when the interviewee discusses whatever is most important to him or her. You can lead an interviewee to discuss interests by asking open-ended questions, such as “What are your fondest memories of your mother?” or “How did you meet your husband?” or “What was your greatest challenge as a child?” These questions require more than one or two words to answer and will encourage the interviewee to talk. See appendix B for a list of sample questions.'' | ||
'''• Direct Questions.''' ''A direct question evokes a short response, usually one or two words. Direct questions are appropriate if you seek specific information. For example, you might ask, “What year was Albert Smith born?” or “Who was his father?” This type of question can help you get good information, but it won’t generate the kinds of thoughts and memories that can come from an interview. They might be good introductory or concluding questions and they might help provide important contextual information, but a successful interview is usually built on openended questions.''<br> | '''• Direct Questions.''' ''A direct question evokes a short response, usually one or two words. Direct questions are appropriate if you seek specific information. For example, you might ask, “What year was Albert Smith born?” or “Who was his father?” This type of question can help you get good information, but it won’t generate the kinds of thoughts and memories that can come from an interview. They might be good introductory or concluding questions and they might help provide important contextual information, but a successful interview is usually built on openended questions.''<br> | ||
Even though the best interview arises from open-ended questions, you can make a list of direct questions you hope to have answered during the interview. Your interviewee may answer them without prompting during the course of the interview. If not, the last few minutes of an interview are a good time to ask a limited amount of direct questions. | Even though the best interview arises from open-ended questions, you can make a list of direct questions you hope to have answered during the interview. Your interviewee may answer them without prompting during the course of the interview. If not, the last few minutes of an interview are a good time to ask a limited amount of direct questions. | ||
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'''Arrange for Recording Equipment''' Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | '''Arrange for Recording Equipment''' Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Some people are shy of microphones. Try to obtain a microphone that can be inconspicuously placed on a table in the interview room rather than one that must be held in the hand or spoken into directly. | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Some people are shy of microphones. Try to obtain a microphone that can be inconspicuously placed on a table in the interview room rather than one that must be held in the hand or spoken into directly. | ||
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'''Make a Checklist''' Make a checklist of things to take to the interview, which may include: <br>''• Extra batteries or a power cord for your recording equipment.''<br>''• A label for your tape.''<br>''• A pen or pencil and paper for note taking and for labeling your audio or video tape.''<br>''• Your list of questions.''<br>''• Photographs or artifacts that might be useful.''<br>''• A pedigree chart or family group record.''<br>''• A release form for the interviewee to sign.''<br>''• A release form giving your permission to share the content of the interview (see Appendix C.)'' | '''Make a Checklist''' Make a checklist of things to take to the interview, which may include: <br>''• Extra batteries or a power cord for your recording equipment.''<br>''• A label for your tape.''<br>''• A pen or pencil and paper for note taking and for labeling your audio or video tape.''<br>''• Your list of questions.''<br>''• Photographs or artifacts that might be useful.''<br>''• A pedigree chart or family group record.''<br>''• A release form for the interviewee to sign.''<br>''• A release form giving your permission to share the content of the interview (see Appendix C.)'' | ||
== At the Interview == | == At the Interview == | ||
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'''''• Finish up.''' Immediately label your audio or video tape. Your label should include the same information you provided at the beginning of your interview—your name, the name of the person you interviewed, and the date and place of the interview. Punch out the tabs in your audio or video tape to prevent it from being recorded over. Clear out all your equipment, thank your interviewee, and offer him or her a copy of the interview itself or a transcription. If you would like to do an additional interview, try to schedule it before you leave.'' | '''''• Finish up.''' Immediately label your audio or video tape. Your label should include the same information you provided at the beginning of your interview—your name, the name of the person you interviewed, and the date and place of the interview. Punch out the tabs in your audio or video tape to prevent it from being recorded over. Clear out all your equipment, thank your interviewee, and offer him or her a copy of the interview itself or a transcription. If you would like to do an additional interview, try to schedule it before you leave.'' | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Don’t be concerned about getting through your list of questions. It is more important that people you interview be allowed to talk about whatever is significant to them. They know more about their life experience than you do and often are better judges of the value of their personal knowledge. Most of all, you want the interview to be a satisfying experience for the person you interview. | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Don’t be concerned about getting through your list of questions. It is more important that people you interview be allowed to talk about whatever is significant to them. They know more about their life experience than you do and often are better judges of the value of their personal knowledge. Most of all, you want the interview to be a satisfying experience for the person you interview. | ||
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'''Transcribe the Interview''' Transcription is important in safeguarding and sharing your work. Audio and video tapes become obsolete much faster than typed documents. They are easily damaged, and the quality of the recording can degrade quickly. If keeping a copy of the original recording is important, be sure to convert the recording to new technologies as they become available. | '''Transcribe the Interview''' Transcription is important in safeguarding and sharing your work. Audio and video tapes become obsolete much faster than typed documents. They are easily damaged, and the quality of the recording can degrade quickly. If keeping a copy of the original recording is important, be sure to convert the recording to new technologies as they become available. | ||
A transcription machine is helpful when you are transcribing an interview. It allows you to start and stop the recording easily while you write or type. If you do not have a transcription machine available, however, you | A transcription machine is helpful when you are transcribing an interview. It allows you to start and stop the recording easily while you write or type. If you do not have a transcription machine available, however, you can still transcribe the recording using normal equipment. | ||
Written language is generally quite different from spoken language. People often prefer to see the written record of their words in a grammatical or standard form, even when they did not speak grammatically. They can become quite embarrassed if the transcription shows all their verbal pauses and false starts and stops. | Written language is generally quite different from spoken language. People often prefer to see the written record of their words in a grammatical or standard form, even when they did not speak grammatically. They can become quite embarrassed if the transcription shows all their verbal pauses and false starts and stops. | ||
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'''Make Copies of the Interview''' Make copies of your interview, and store them in different locations to help preserve them in case of fire or other type of disaster. You will also need to make copies to share with others. When you make copies, use material that is durable, such as acid-free paper, so the copies will last for a long time. | '''Make Copies of the Interview''' Make copies of your interview, and store them in different locations to help preserve them in case of fire or other type of disaster. You will also need to make copies to share with others. When you make copies, use material that is durable, such as acid-free paper, so the copies will last for a long time. | ||
'''Share Your Interview''' If you offered any copies to your interviewee, make sure you share the copies promptly. If your interviewee agrees, and you have obtained a copy of that agreement in writing (see Appendix C), you can also share your interview in many other ways: <br> | '''Share Your Interview''' If you offered any copies to your interviewee, make sure you share the copies promptly. If your interviewee agrees, and you have obtained a copy of that agreement in writing (see Appendix C), you can also share your interview in many other ways: <br> | ||
''• Offer your transcript to your local historical society or university.'' <br>''• Send a copy to interested family members.'' <br>''• Publish it on a Web page.'' | ''• Offer your transcript to your local historical society or university.'' <br>''• Send a copy to interested family members.'' <br>''• Publish it on a Web page.'' | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' It is extremely important that you exclude any identifying information on living individuals if you share your interview with anyone other than close family and friends, especially when the interview is shared over the Internet. | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' It is extremely important that you exclude any identifying information on living individuals if you share your interview with anyone other than close family and friends, especially when the interview is shared over the Internet. | ||
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Gary L. Shumway and William G. Hartley. An Oral History Primer. Salt Lake City: Shumway and Hartley, 1973. | Gary L. Shumway and William G. Hartley. An Oral History Primer. Salt Lake City: Shumway and Hartley, 1973. | ||
''' | '''Websites''' | ||
Cyndi Howells. Cyndi’s List: Oral History. URL: http://www.cyndislist.com/oral.htm | Cyndi Howells. Cyndi’s List: Oral History. URL: http://www.cyndislist.com/oral.htm | ||
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Judith Moyer. Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History. URL: http://www.dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/oralHistory.html | Judith Moyer. Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History. URL: http://www.dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/oralHistory.html | ||
L. Dale Patterson. Doing Oral History. Online: Archival Leaflet Series, the General Commission on Archives and History, the United Methodist Church. URL: http://www.gcah.org/oral. | L. Dale Patterson. Doing Oral History. Online: Archival Leaflet Series, the General Commission on Archives and History, the United Methodist Church. URL: http://www.gcah.org/resources/archival-leaflets-oral-history | ||
Connie L. Vance. Project: Oral History Guide. URL: [https://sites.google.com/site/utahnorthcompany/ sites.google.com/site/utahnorthcompany/] | |||
[http://genealogy.stackexchange.com/help/how-to-ask How to ask questions] | |||
'''Printable Lessons''' | '''Printable Lessons''' | ||
[ | [https://familysearch.org/learn/researchcourses How to Conduct Family History Interviews] | ||
== Ideas for Teachers == | == Ideas for Teachers == | ||
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'''Teaching Goals''' | '''Teaching Goals''' | ||
• Help students understand how to conduct a family history interview. <br>• Demonstrate the skills needed to conduct a family history interview.<br>• Help class members learn what resources are available.<br> | • Help students understand how to conduct a family history interview. <br>• Demonstrate the skills needed to conduct a family history interview.<br>• Help class members learn what resources are available.<br> | ||
'''Preparing to Teach''' | '''Preparing to Teach''' | ||
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Before you teach, you will need to: | Before you teach, you will need to: | ||
• Have supplies to show class members what they will need to carry out a real interview. These supplies could include a tape recorder with good batteries, a tape, a list of several questions, a video recorder, or a laptop.<br> | • Have supplies to show class members what they will need to carry out a real interview. These supplies could include a tape recorder with good batteries, a tape, a list of several questions, a video recorder, or a laptop.<br> | ||
• Prepare a list of good interview questions (see Appendix B). Make enough copies of this list to hand out to each member of the class.<br> | • Prepare a list of good interview questions (see Appendix B). Make enough copies of this list to hand out to each member of the class.<br> | ||
• Visit some | • Visit some Websites about oral interviews to see what they contain, so you can discuss with the class what the best Websites have to offer.<br> | ||
• Give each student a piece of paper and pencil. Ask students to write down the name of someone they would like to interview and two open-ended questions they could ask that person.<br> | • Give each student a piece of paper and pencil. Ask students to write down the name of someone they would like to interview and two open-ended questions they could ask that person.<br> | ||
• Divide the class into groups of two. Tell each group they are going to practice interviewing one another. Ask them to come up with two open-ended questions to ask and then to interview each other for five minutes each.<br> | • Divide the class into groups of two. Tell each group they are going to practice interviewing one another. Ask them to come up with two open-ended questions to ask and then to interview each other for five minutes each.<br> | ||
• Ask the class to respond to the question “What keeps me from interviewing my family members?” Make a list of the responses, and then as a class discuss ways to overcome the identified obstacles. | • Ask the class to respond to the question “What keeps me from interviewing my family members?” Make a list of the responses, and then as a class discuss ways to overcome the identified obstacles. | ||
== Appendix | == '''Appendix A—Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Recording Equipment''' == | ||
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== | == '''Appendix B—Open-Ended Questions''' == | ||
This is only a preliminary list of questions you can ask in an interview. The kinds of questions will vary depending on your circumstances and the person you interview. Modify the questions or add to them according to your needs. A very comprehensive listing of questions (hundreds) can be found in the article [[Creating A Personal History|Creating a Personal History]].<br> | |||
This is only a preliminary list of questions you can ask in an interview. The kinds of questions will vary depending on your circumstances and the person you interview. Modify the questions or add to them according to your needs. | |||
• What is your earliest memory? <br>• What were some of your family’s traditions?<br>• What was the happiest day of your life?<br>• Tell a story your mother or father told you when you were young. <br>• What places have you visited?<br>• What family heirlooms do you have? <br>• What childhood games did you play? <br>• Tell about a childhood hiding place.<br>• What were Sundays like when you were growing up? <br>• Describe your feelings or testimony of Jesus Christ. How did you gain that knowledge?<br>• What prayers have you had answered?<br>• Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.<br>• Do you remember any of your grandparents? Any great-grandparents? What were their names? What were they like? <br>• What were your siblings like?<br>• What trips or vacations do you remember? <br>• What special events took place in your neighborhood while you were growing up? <br>• What was your hometown like?<br>• What were politics like there?<br>• How many people were in your family? Describe each family member.<br>• What kinds of household chores did you do as a child? Which did you enjoy? Not enjoy? <br>• What aunts, uncles, or cousins do you remember? What were they like? <br>• Tell about family traditions for holidays and birthdays.<br>• Did you belong to any clubs or social groups? What were they like? <br>• What were your favorite childhood activities?<br>• Did you serve in the military? If so, where and when? What was it like?<br>• What special school memories do you have? Who were your favorite teachers? <br>• What challenges did you face as a child?<br>• What challenges have you faced as an adult? <br>• How did you first meet your spouse?<br>• How did your father spend his time?<br>• How did your mother spend her time? <br>• Tell about ancestors you know about—names and dates and any stories about them. <br>• What are the names of your children? What are their birth dates, where were they born, and what were the circumstances of their births, and their lives? <br>• Tell about some of the most notable people in your hometown. <br>• Tell about some of your neighbors as a child, as a youth, and as an adult. <br>• What changes have you seen in your lifetime in technology, society, politics, and so on? <br>• Tell about the house in which you live. Where else have you lived?<br>• Tell about the house you lived in during your childhood. Do you remember addresses or phone numbers? | • What is your earliest memory? <br>• What were some of your family’s traditions?<br>• What was the happiest day of your life?<br>• Tell a story your mother or father told you when you were young. <br>• What places have you visited?<br>• What family heirlooms do you have? <br>• What childhood games did you play? <br>• Tell about a childhood hiding place.<br>• What were Sundays like when you were growing up? <br>• Describe your feelings or testimony of Jesus Christ. How did you gain that knowledge?<br>• What prayers have you had answered?<br>• Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.<br>• Do you remember any of your grandparents? Any great-grandparents? What were their names? What were they like? <br>• What were your siblings like?<br>• What trips or vacations do you remember? <br>• What special events took place in your neighborhood while you were growing up? <br>• What was your hometown like?<br>• What were politics like there?<br>• How many people were in your family? Describe each family member.<br>• What kinds of household chores did you do as a child? Which did you enjoy? Not enjoy? <br>• What aunts, uncles, or cousins do you remember? What were they like? <br>• Tell about family traditions for holidays and birthdays.<br>• Did you belong to any clubs or social groups? What were they like? <br>• What were your favorite childhood activities?<br>• Did you serve in the military? If so, where and when? What was it like?<br>• What special school memories do you have? Who were your favorite teachers? <br>• What challenges did you face as a child?<br>• What challenges have you faced as an adult? <br>• How did you first meet your spouse?<br>• How did your father spend his time?<br>• How did your mother spend her time? <br>• Tell about ancestors you know about—names and dates and any stories about them. <br>• What are the names of your children? What are their birth dates, where were they born, and what were the circumstances of their births, and their lives? <br>• Tell about some of the most notable people in your hometown. <br>• Tell about some of your neighbors as a child, as a youth, and as an adult. <br>• What changes have you seen in your lifetime in technology, society, politics, and so on? <br>• Tell about the house in which you live. Where else have you lived?<br>• Tell about the house you lived in during your childhood. Do you remember addresses or phone numbers? | ||
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____________________________________________________________ Signature of person conducting the interview | ____________________________________________________________ Signature of person conducting the interview | ||
[[Category:Beginners]] | ==See also== | ||
[[What to do with the genealogy and family history I collected]] | |||
[[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:New to Genealogy]][[Category: Gathering Family Information]] | |||
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