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Family reunions: a time for casserole, cobbler and conversation. If you enjoy reunions, then you likely have no problem chatting it up with Aunt Ethel. On the other hand, you might dread the annual potluck and prefer to camp out next to the cheese tray rather than endure Cousin Norman’s twenty-third telling of his escape from behind enemy lines.
If you are in the first category, you’ll find the idea of recording family stories more compelling than if you fall in the latter group. If stories are your thing, why not consider capturing them for the family archives? With a recorder or video camera and a pad of paper, you can get to know the stories behind the faces in your family tree. All it takes is a list of questions and open ears.
The Importance of Conversation
You might wonder why you should take the time to record the stories of people you see every year. But believe it or not, reunions stop happening; people move away or die, and before you know it, your opportunities are gone. You’ll be left wondering why Grandpa once went to work on the road crew or why your uncle limps. Ask them and write it down. Chances are good that no one else will.
Steps to Success
An interview is a lot like having a conversation. Once you get a few good questions strung together, the dialogue will take on a life of its own, and your questions will be answered.
First, decide who to interview. Every family has the obvious choices – the relatives who like to hold court. While they are great choices to get your interviewing chops warmed up, don’t overlook the quite people. You will often get the most enduring stories from unlikely candidates. However, don’t force anyone to talk. Some people are naturally shy and won’t be interested in sharing.
Next, pick a topic. Here are some to consider:
· Education
· Time periods in life (20s, 30s, etc.)
· Injury or loss
· Ethnic identity, ancestry, heritage
· Home and family life
· Courtship and marriage
· Vocations and hobbies
· Immigration and migration
Think about questions you can develop for each topic. For example, let’s say you decide on home and family life. Some question might be:
1. Were you born at home or in a hospital?
2. What do you remember most about your family home?
3. Did you have chores to do?
4. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
5. What do you remember about your childhood toys and games?
Where to Hold the Interview
You can have a conversation anywhere, but if you’re using a recorder, pay attention to background noise. Since many reunions are held outside, you might pick up wind noise, traffic sounds and children playing. It is always a good idea to write down as much as you can of what someone says. That way, if your recorder fails, you didn’t lose the words.
Equipment and Tools
Here are a few basics on equipment. These are complex topics in themselves. If you are a novice, do some online research to find the right equipment for what you hope to achieve.
· A small recorder: digital or tape models are available at office supply stores or on the Internet. If you plan to make CDs from your recordings, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality recorder, which can run in the hundreds of dollars.
· A video camera: if you’re a film buff, consider capturing your conversation on video.
· A pad of paper and pens: have your questions numbered in your pad. It is faster to jot down the number you asked rather than rewriting the question. Create your own shorthand to help you keep up with the flow.
Pointers on the Art of Interviewing
Ask the question and then be quiet.
While it is a conversation, you want to hear what the person has to say. If you are recording them, it is even more important that you keep quiet – otherwise you’ll hear your own voice far too often.
Be prepared for the unexpected.
You might stir up some emotions. Don’t be surprised to see some anger or tears as they talk. Don’t take it personally, but take care not to probe too far.
What Next?
Even though it is family, ask for permission to share their words. They might not mind telling you, but they may not want their secrets broadcasted throughout the family. It is a good idea to run your final product past them before you distribute it, just in case you missed a detail – or they changed their mind.
Once you have the information transcribed, you can make copies of the CDs (or video) of your interview. How much you edit them is up to you. If you like books and pictures, you can put together a book using online software (three popular sites: blurb.com, createspace.com and lulu.com). If you are crafty, create a scrapbook. The possibilities are endless.
Other Ideas:
A family cookbook is a fun alternative to stories. Ask people to bring copies of recipes to the reunion or give everyone a self-addressed stamped envelope and have them mail you their famous reunion dish or other favorites. Then put together a family cookbook and sell or pass out copies at the next shindig. Some sites allow you to send links to people who can order as many copies as they like.
If you’re a musical bunch, a family jam session could be captured on tape. Take some pictures and create your own liner notes to go with the tunes.
The possibilities on how to capture a history are as unique as your family itself. Consider what method suits your group’s personality and go from there.
