FAMILY STORIES: PART 2

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Jan 7, 2000

When visiting my brothers over the holidays, I realized how we remember shared events differently. So, to add depth to my family history I plan to get their slant on different stories. They all have email so it makes my job easier. I plan to send them snippets of the family stories and ask how they remember that event. It will make for a much more interesting family history.

Family members can be the perfect resource for adding color to your stories. Here are some ideas to get a few comments from them to add:

1. Send them your memories and ask for their spin on them.

2. Send them a copy of an old photo in which they are included and have them tell you what they remember about what was happening when it was taken.

3. Ask them what they remember about a personal landmark event in their lives-a first date, when they met their spouse, a graduation.

I don't plan to limit the family history to my lifetime. I want to get the personal memories of my older relatives, personal events as well as their reminisces of what things were like back then and how different world events effected their lives. Following are a few good sites to do more focused interviews.

1. GRS-Library-Family History Questionnaire

2. Interview Questions for Family Members, by Dick Eastman

3. Genealogy Via The Internet

Remember, when gathering these stories to let them know that you are working on a family history. They may not want some of their stories to be recorded for others to read.

Here are a few more ideas that I have found helpful:

1. Use a tape recorder and transcribe later.

2. Older relatives sometimes wander, but some very interesting stories can pop up.

3. Don't try to get all the stories in one interview.

You may also find Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site:Biography Assistant helpful. It is a complete guide for writing your family's history.

TIP OF THE WEEK: Ancestors Tips gives a monthly tip for genealogy. The site includes past tips. Some great helpful ideas!

NEXT WEEK: Ways you can present your family stories.

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