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Discovering Your Family Treasures, Part II: Interviewing

© Deanna Corbeil

So, you've decided to do it. As the family historian, you have already gathered some initial information, and you are eager to learn more facts and stories. You are ready to take the next step by interviewing a close relative. (Always begin with the close, friendly relatives-you'll feel more comfortable, and they'll forgive your inexperience.) Are you a little nervous? Perhaps you think you won't be able to elicit enough information. Maybe the person you are interviewing will think you're an amateur. Maybe they won't like you.. (Ok, ok, our adolescent insecurities can come out at any time!) After all, you say, I'm not Barbara Walters! Here's a little secret. You don't have to be a professional interviewer to get people to talk. What you should do is be prepared. Being prepared also helps you to relax, and will enable you to listen more closely. If you write down a list of questions ahead of time, you most certainly will meet with success. You will be uncovering more family treasures in no time at all.

The following questions were gleaned from a number of sources.* Remember that these are just suggestions. There are no hard and fast rules about what you must ask. This is entirely dependent upon the type and amount of information you wish to obtain. But do remember, as the family historian, you want to evoke as many stories as possible. Get the vital information that you must have, but then dig a bit deeper. The next questions should assist you in doing just that.

a. What do you know about your surname? Do you know its meaning or origin? Was the name changed in any way when coming to this country?

b. How did your family get to where it is now? Can you share any tales of migration? Did your family move frequently, or were they rooted in one place?

c. Did any members of your family speak another language?

d. If the person you are interviewing is a 1st generation immigrant, you might ask why they left their homeland. What did you leave? What did you bring with you? Are there traditions you've had to leave behind?

The next list of questions relates to the folklore of your family.

a. What stories do you recall hearing from your parents and grandparents? What were some of their favorites to tell and your favorites to hear?

b. How did various relatives meet and marry?

c. Are there any expressions or phrases that are unique to the family? How did they originate?

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