Taking Oral Histories

Oral histories are an important step in family history research. No records, documents, or even images can ever teach you as much about your family as your living relatives. The stories they have to tell are precious.

Deciding Where to Start

In many families, there is one person who is known as the family historian, who everyone believes knows everything there is to know about the family. Ask your relatives who they believe knows the most about your family, and if the same name keeps coming up, that is where you should begin.

Your mother and father, as well as your grandparents, are also wonderful places to start. Another important consideration as you make your list of people to contact is whether there is someone in the family who is getting on in years. While it is heartbreaking to consider, they will not be around forever. If we do not collect and preserve their memories and stories, they will vanish one day.

Make a Plan

Having a plan will greatly improve your chances of taking a successful oral history. Prepare for the interview by creating a list of questions that are prioritised by importance. You should also bring your pedigree chart, family photos, and any other family information you have gathered as these may trigger memories. Oral histories can also be obtained from distant relatives via letter, phone, or even by email.

Tips for a Successful ‘In-Person’ Interview

Schedule a time in advance. This allows everyone time to prepare.
Make a list of questions ahead of time and share it with your relative, or give them an idea of what you want to explore.
Bring plenty of notepads and pens with you to the interview. If you intend to record something, make sure you have checked and know how to use your equipment beforehand.
Take good notes. Record your name, the date, the location where the interview is being conducted, and the name of the interviewee.
Begin with a question or topic you know will generate a response, such as a story you’ve heard them tell before.
Ask questions that encourage more than simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses. Make an effort to draw out facts, sentiments, tales, and descriptions.
Show your enthusiasm. Participate in the discussion without taking control of it.
Use props whenever possible. Old images, favourite old songs, and valued items might bring back memories.
Don’t press for an answer. Your relative may not want to speak ill of the dead or may have other reasons for withholding information. Move on to something else.
Use your planned questions as a guide, but don’t be afraid to allow your relative to go off topic. They might have a lot more to say that you never thought to ask!
Don’t interrupt or try to correct your relative; this can quickly ruin an interview.
Limit the length of the interview to no more than 1-2 hours at a time. You will find the interview process exhausting for both you and the person being interviewed. This is intended to be enjoyable!
When you’re through, remember to thank your relative for their time.
Consider preparing a transcript or written report as a tangible thank you to your relative for her participation. You never know, this may lead to more memories they may want to share with you.

Tips for Long-Distance Interviews

Letter

Some tips if you’re considering writing a letter to a family member who lives far away.

Develop a connection with your relative by informing them about yourself, your family, and why you are so interested in family history.
Follow on with a series of open-ended questions. This will normally inspire a better response than a letter requesting “tell me everything about the family”.
Include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope to improve your chances of receiving a response.

Phone

Phone calls might be challenging, but they can also make it easier to gather information over time. It may be difficult to get relatives to open up especially if they don’t know you well and may not trust your motivations. If you are interviewing relatives over the phone, try doing so in a series of conversations rather than all at once.

Email

Email is a wonderful tool that may be used to successfully collect oral histories. Not only by writing to one another but also by sharing photos, etc. If you’re making contact with a relative for the first time, consider using the same steps under ‘Letter’ to approach your family member.