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Developed by Professors and students, there many ways to interact with your Family Tree- Relative Finder, Geneopardy, Wheel of Family Fortune and much more.
Developed by Professors and students, there many ways to interact with your Family Tree- Relative Finder, Geneopardy, Wheel of Family Fortune and much more.


Website: <nowiki>https://fhtl.byu.edu/resources.html</nowiki>
Website: https://fhtl.byu.edu/resources.html
 
== Saunders, Wendell - Principles & Techniques of Interviewing for Family History ==
The WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN, the WHERE, the WHY, & the HOW
 
Wendell Saunders
 
'''Stories and Histories'''
 
Family historians often search for years, looking for a few clues in old records – hoping to find more than just the names, dates and places of their ancestors. Someday, we will be someone’s ancestor. Leaving behind a mindful, careful record of our lives requires planning and some effort. Leaving behind oral histories you have gathered is and additional blessing for them
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Stories
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> A story is (ideally) a narrative, told as close to the true events as can be remembered.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Although a true account is an ideal, stories are often embellished with threads of human interest or humor that carry the personality of the story teller.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Oral Histories
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Recorded collections of stories told by living people about the past.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Personal histories are focused on a person, but often include narrative related to family and friends
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Family histories are focused on a family (immediate, extended, or ancestors)
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Oral history is:
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> “recorded information about the past that you get from talking to people about their experiences, families, etc.”
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Merriam Webster Dictionary; defined for English Language Learners
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Often an oral history includes details and feelings that exist nowhere other than in the mind and memories of an individual.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Family members, especially the elderly, all have valuable information to share about your family history, whether they know it (or even believe it or not).
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You have to ask the right questions.
 
'''Why Should I Interview Anyone?'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The WHY is the most important factor.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> If you do not have a WHY, then the Who, When, Where, What and How won't make any difference.
 
If you don't have a strong WHY, then you WON'T.
 
If you do not conduct and record the interview there is a good chance that many memories of family stories and details wi
 
ll be lost forever.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Gathering and preserving family stories and histories should be an urgent priority as the family members with the memories will pass away, often without warning.
 
'''Who Should I Interview?'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Anyone who has knowledge, memories, or stories about something you are interested in.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> This might include: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, mom, & dad
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> A grandparent might seem and obvious choice, but don’t forget their neighbors, a fishing or hunting buddy, people they worked with or worked for, friends from church, people they associated with in leisure activities…
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You might interview the grandparent’s children and grandchildren.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You may be surprised by their observations and perspectives. They will remember events that your grandparent may have forgotten.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> When you are making a list of people to interview, determine whether there is someone in the family who is really getting on in years. While it is sad to think about, they won't be around forever.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Additionally, they may become mentally, verbally, physically or visually impaired, which may affect their speech, tolerance for a long interview, or even their ability to remember people, places and events.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Unanticipated deaths may occur, but it is always best to prioritize the people with advanced age or failing health and gather their stories first. *
 
When should you interview? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE !
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You never know when something will make an interview that could be made today, impossible to make tomorrow.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Interviewing cannot be ignored for years and then "caught up on" in a few weeks.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Make a plan, make a schedule of interviews, then do them.
 
'''WHERE Should I Interview?'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Wherever you can get it done.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Quality:
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Obviously there are factors that could be met to improve the quality of the interview.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> A poor recording made next week is infinitely better that a great recording… that never occurs.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Do everything you can to improve the recording quality, but if it comes to getting a poor recording or no recording at all, go for the poor recording.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Where the person being interviewed is most comfortable
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> In general, the younger the person is, the more comfortable they will be with being recorded. However, older people often require measures to put them at ease.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> In general, the more outgoing a person is, the more comfortable they will be with being recorded. However, shy people often require measures to put them at ease.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> What makes a location comfortable… depends on the person
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Familiar locations, perhaps their own home
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Quite locations without distractions and noise
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Groups: Some might be most comfortable alone with the interviewer, others might be more comfortable with a few close family members to whom they could tell their stories to and the interviewer is a “fly on the wall” who is just there to record
 
'''WHAT Should I Interview About?'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The simple answer is “anything that is of interest.”
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> General Questions: There are many lists of general questions that will lead to a good interview. (Google Search)
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> A general question for a father might be "where did you first meet mom?"
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Specific Questions: These best come from the answers to general questions.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> An answer such as "I met Dorothy at college" could lead to more specific questions about the college, what he was studying, what the wife was studying, where did they meet, etc.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Answers are often the best source for follow-on questions
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> There are several ways to interview. Starting from the least involved we will talk about each
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> As we progress the methods will require increased preparation, equipment and skills.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The skills are not difficult to acquire. The preparation just takes some time, planning and a small investment in equipment.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The quality of the recording generally goes up with the quality of the equipment, but with a good microphone & small tripod even your smart phone can make surprisingly good audio & even video recordings.
 
How #1: Occasional Notes
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> For me this was a desperation measure
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> I had a close relative that who did not like to discuss the past. However, in day to day discussions details of the past did come out.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> When they did I would jot down a few notes
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> As soon as our discussion was over I would expand on the note with details I could remember.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> This was “hit & miss” oral history, but in this case it was the best I could do.
 
'''How #2: Written Interview'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You may have an unplanned meeting with someone and you are without recording equipment
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Perhaps you are talking to one of those people who clam up when a microphone is in the room
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> In either of these cases you may be able to conduct an interview with just a pen and paper. Newspaper reporters did their job like this for decades.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> As quickly as possible transfer your notes to a word processor. As you are typing amplify the note with details that you remember from the conversation but did not have time to write.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Example: Your written notes may only say that grandma met grandpa at the general store. However, as you are typing you remember that it was market day, that the family lived 10 miles from the store and that they were buying potatoes and flour, and that grandma was wearing a blue gingham dress.
 
'''How #3: Audio Interviews'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> With an audio recorder you will use questions to prompt the person being interviewed to relate information. The question and the response will be recorded on audio.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The recording can be transcribed into written documents
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The recordings can also be placed on digital media for descendants to listen to the actual voice of their ancestor.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The recording will include both the questions and the answers.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Leave the recording in the Q&A format
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> If the interviewee is comfortable with it, ask them to respond by incorporating the question into the answer.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Transcribe the interview modifying the answers to incorporate the questions.
 
'''How #4: Video Interviews'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> It is said that more is communicated by the body and face than by the words.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> With a video camera you can not only capture the recorded words of the person being interviewed, but you can see the person’s emotions as they share their stories.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Generally, the guidelines for audio recording all apply, but there are additional guidelines related to video
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Video cameras are usually more effective if they are farther away and in the background, not “in your face!” This requires a good microphone that is mounted on a stand or clipped to their clothing, and that it either wireless or has a long cord.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The interview can be edited and produced as a DVD or other digital media
 
'''How to interview someone geographically distant'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Face to Face: If you have the opportunity (vacation, reunion, etc.) to meet face to face, this is usually the best & most comfortable option.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Mail: Send an introductory letter or email to create a rapport with your relative by telling them about yourself, your family and why you are so interested in the family history. If they agree, follow this up with a list of open-ended questions. It calls for a lot of writing on the part of the interviewee.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Email: Poor substitute for a letter to get started, but after relationships are built this can work well. Again, a lot of writing.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Phone: Once the process and agreements are met, the phone is a good way to go if you have a recording device set up to record the conversation.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Skype: Has the advantage of face-to-face and phone interviews and can be recorded.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Other Approaches: There are now and will continue to be new tools to communicate. Use whatever works for you.
 
'''How: CONDUCT an Interview'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Preparation:
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Decide on a topic or a person you are interested in
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Select a person to interview
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Ask them for permission to conduct an interview
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Be specific and honest in your request
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Schedule a time and location to conduct the interview
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Prepare a list of questions
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Share with them the major areas of interest about what you will be asking. If they are still concerned give them a list of “top level” questions.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Call ahead the day before as a curtesy reminder
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> “Day Before” preparation
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Put your questions, supplies, recording device, power supplies, extra batteries, microphone, extra memory cards, etc. into a carrying case. Check out the devices. Make sure it (they) works.
 
'''The Interview'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Eat before you go, but not too much and don’t drink to much liquid
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Arrive on time (consider traffic and weather)
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Be yourself but be courteous. Smile
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Minimize the equipment “footprint”
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The equipment is best out of sight or inconspicuous. Its best if the microphone is the only thing in sight.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Begin the recording with an introduction
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Minimum of the names of interviewer and interviewee, date, location, and purpose of the interview
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Everything you do should lead towards an interview that is spontaneous and emotional. Genuine emotion is the “Gold Standard” of an interview.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Put them at ease and help them to loosen up
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Start with easy questions and don’t put them on the spot
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Some people with NEVER loosen up… press on as best you can
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Ask the Right Questions. The best interview stories come from asking who, what, why, when or how questions. Avoid “Yes/No” questions.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Get personal (if you can). Some of the best stories come from the personal questions. However, you should ask these carefully. A personal questions that is ok for one person might be very much off limits to another. Get a feel for this.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Follow up good answers. Good answers bring better questions.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Show interest during the interview and thank them when you (or they)* are finished
 
'''After the Interview'''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Label Everything! Every tape, every piece of digital media*, paper notes, etc. If the item is to small to label put it in a sealable container (e.g., zip-loc® bag) that is labeled.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Make Copies! Removable media, your hard drive, the cloud, online computer backup services
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Transcribe the digital (audio or video) into a text document.
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> If the audio is clear you can use transcription apps (e.g., Google)
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> If the audio is not clear enough for that
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You can use transcription services (expensive)
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> You can recite the narrative into a program like Dragon Naturally Speaking
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Edit a COPY of the recording into a finished product (keep the best parts)
 
“Ask not why your ancestors didn’t leave stories for you ― ask what stories you will leave for your descendants”
Jimr357
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