So you have decided to research your family's roots.
You will start something that will bring to life history, and keep you busy for years to come.
Here are some suggestions on how to to start your genealogical research.
|
|
|
Sounds Easy - Voice Recorder, BRAND NEW at Scrapbook.com Sounds Easy - Voice Recorder, BRAND NEW at Scrapbook.com - Sounds Easy Voice Recorder and Memories Card allows you to record unlimited sounds and add them to Scrapbooks, Photo Albums, Digital Scrapbooks and more! Uses removable Memories Cards – very low cost per message- Memories Cards are compatible with any Sounds Easy Voice Recorder - Recorder is easy to use – record, re-record, play and save Audio Memories forever - Each Memories Card holds 30 messages, each 30 seconds long - Recorder uses 3 AAA Alkaline batteries (not included) - Sounds Easy Voice Recorder Kit Includes: Sounds Easy Digital Voice Recorder - 30 message Memories Card - Two sets of Number Stickers - Adhesive Backed Memories Card Envelope for Scrapbook - Carrying Pouch - Instruction Manual and Tip Sheet >> more info
|
Most genealogists will tell you to start with yourself, with what you know, and than work your way backward. This is true. But nothing is more important than the accounts of a living relative.
The first thing you should do is contact your oldest living relatives. Let them know what you are going to do, and ask them if they would like to sit down with you sometime soon and talk about the “Good old days”.
Often it is hard to have a conversation with older people,
But it is my experience that they love to talk about days gone by and of how things used to be.
Of course sometimes, because of geographical distances, it is hard to meet in person.
There are the options of telephone, letters, maybe even e-mail.
Do not skip this part, do this while you can still do it. No records or documents or even photos will ever be able to tell you as much about person’s life as someone that has been there or lived through the same time era and circumstances.
Enclosed you will find an outline of an interview, with 2 sheets of questions
I suggest, that before you interview a relative, that you answer all these questions for yourself. You will realize how much the world has already changed since you were young. (What a good way to write your own biography! You might want to add that to your files. Your children will be thankful for that some day)
 Finding Your Roots (Revised and Expanded Edition)
|
 Genealogy 101
|
 Tracing Your Family History ( Teach Yourself)
|
Oral History Interview
Tools:
Taperecorder, videorecorder, paper, pencil, old photographs, old documents you may have, family tree charts and research papers you already have and a list of questions for the interview.
(It might seem easier to take along a taperecorder or na newer invention
and record the conversation, but often people seem uncomfortable with that
idea, so ask beforehand.)
Questions for the interview:
-What is your name (given name, nickname, etc.)
-Were you named after somone ?
-When and where were you born ?
(in the hospital or at home)
-Describe your family members, their character traits,
personality, etc.(Names,places, and other factual details as well)
-Do you remember your grandparents ( both sets) ?
(Names, places and other details you remember and know about them.)
-Do you remember some stories about your families
that your parents told you ?
-When you were a child, who was the oldest living relative
that you can still remember ?
-What are your earliest childhood memories ?
-Where did you live ?
Describe your neighborhood, your house
( How big was it ? How many rooms, bathrooms, plumbing,
heating, lights, laundry,bath, telephones, etc.)
-Where did you go to school ?
(Tell about your teacher, favorite subject, least favorite subject,
dances, 'prom',etc.)
-Describe a typical day from when you were young.
-What did you usually eat ? Has your diet changed since then ?
-What did your family do for fun, games, toys, television ( if any),
outings, etc.
-What were your chores when you were young ? Sports ? Hobbies?
-Did you get an allowance ? How much ? How did you spend it ?
-What about clothes and shoes ? How many did you have ?
( Fashions, trends, hairdos, etc)
-What was your first job, how much did you get paid ?
-Tell me about special celebrations:
Birthdays ( How did you celebrate, party, presents)
Thanksgiving
Christmas ( Customs and traditions, tree, presents)
-Do you remember how much things cost when you were young ?
-Were you ever seriously sick ? Did you have a family doctor ?
Did he make house call ?
-What kind of diseases were common when you grew up ?
-What was your first car ? How much did you pay for it ?
What did you pay for gas ?
-Did you attend church ? Where ? Do you still go ?
-What about high-school and college ?
-What career choice did you make, and why ?
-What about dating ? Where did you go on dates,
what did you do, curfew, any more details you would like to share ?
-Did you get married ? When ? To whom ?
(Name, where and when he/she was born, grew up, lived
parents, and any more details you remember)
-Where did you meet ?
-How did you propose/ or were proposed to ?
-Tell me some details about your wedding (how long did it take to plan,
clothes, cost, bridal party, honeymoon, etc. )
-How many children did you have ? What names did you give them ?
-What did you and your family enjoy doing together ?
-What wer some big inventions during your life time, and how did they
change your life ?
-What is your saddest memory, or hard and difficult times
you had to live through ?
-What big world events happened while you were growing up ?
-What have been the biggest changes in society during your life time ?
(Women's rights, education, children, etc.)
-What events most impacted your life ?
-What is your biggest regret ?
(If you could go back in time, what would you change ? )
-What is one thing you want people to remember about you ?
Not all questions may apply to the person you are interviewing, so read through them
before. Maybe you can think of a few more and add them to the list.
( for example if he/she was in the army, wars, immigrated to another country, travel etc. )
The most common mistake beginners make is not documenting where they found information. PLEASE, document your sources.
