Family Trees That Talk-Interviewing Relatives

As a means of researching pedigrees, interviews relatives can be a really positive experience for both parties, but there are some rules that must be respected. Like anything worthwhile, genealogy has guidelines that must be followed if you are at all serious family history.

5 Simple Rules *

their first contact - DO NOT just at its doorstep, Tape recorder in hand. Get the permission to do the interview and honest, why you want them.

* Be careful not to offend by them questions, which may be in person or by a highly sensitive nature. Some people are all questions you raise them, while others are more guarded. Of course, if you already have a close relationship with Uncle George, it is quite relaxed in the dialogue with you. Aunt Madge, however, you would not know whether you feel about them, is not so likely the impending transfer in the laundry, cleaning or otherwise, the family!

* It is important that we have a list of questions ready. You can not ask them all, or you may need to alter the focus of some during the interviews, but you should have a list of key questions. Why? Since this will ensure that you will not forget what important, and secondly, there is the impression that you really know what you are doing. Dithering and look at the ceiling every 5 minutes trying to remember what to ask next is not the confidence and is probably the interviewees uncomfortable.

* not outstay your welcome. You are the only one who can judge if this may be.

* Show your appreciation for their time, either by the presentation with a small gift or just say that these magic words, "Thank you" .

Check Or Else

Family interviews are a fantastic opportunity to fill in the gaps in your family tree, and offers much more information than you ever collect a marriage certificate. The quality and detail can be extraordinary and enlightening, but not all accept Uncle George says, as a very accurate. His "true story" is not true. THE FIRST RULE IS TO VERIFY GENEALOGY - wherever this is possible. The truth can be stretched, twisted, bent and disappear completely. That does not mean Uncle George is, he can only repeat what he told someone else, or have forgotten the details of time.

My Story

Here is an example of such an item from my own family history . It is very illustrative of the need to search for the trees, for the exact information.

My George BURLS great-grandfather came from England and settled in rural Victoria, Australia. My grandmother, his youngest daughter, always said that he was a detective and solved it a murder investigation in a nearby town. Well, that was all I had to go on. First, if IT was a murder of the local newspaper was the place to start. I knew I had to go back to the early 1900's, because my great-grandfather died in 1919 at the age of 70.

Back at this time about a water reservoir called Waranga Basin has been excavated, and there was a large influx of workers in the area. Two of the workers live in the city, tents were incurred James Edwards and William Skinner. They were friends, but Skinner has drunk one night and Edwards attacked with a shovel. He defended himself with an axe and killed near Skinner. Fearing the police would not believe it was self-defense, Edwards proceeded to the point where the parts in the Hessian bags and threw them into the pool. The parts were later found and an investigation followed. All these details, I have a newspaper, The Chronicle of Rushworth 1905.

George BURLS and his son Alfred rabbits were fishing methods, their profession if they are the perpetrators, Edwards, who knew them both from another site, where they had previously cooperated. Edwards denied ever knowing, and she said he wanted to buy some tobacco. He did so then left. They were both to provide information on the following process. End of story!

The above are the facts of the case. My grandmothers version was somewhat expensive, the granting of my great-grandfather, incidentally, only one eye, with the tracking and apprehension of Edwards. But again, they can only repeat what they had told.

mobile Interviewing Questions

Okay, here are some sample questions to your family trees talk. These are in addition to the compulsory as names, dates of birth, death, marriage etc.

1. Describe your childhood - relationship with the parents, siblings.

2. The grate joy of your childhood was .......?

3. As a child, what was your worst fear?

4. What was your father and occupation, what the quality of your life like as a child?

5. How would you describe your parents and grandparents or - physical properties and qualities?

6. What is the most pleasant memories you have of your parents and grandparents?

7. What was the dumbest what ever you as a child?

8. What was your vacation?

9. What was one thing that attracted you to your spouse? Why?

10. What was the most difficult moment for you as a parent?

11. What one change, what would you, in your role as parents?

12. What would you like your children to remember most about you?

13. What was your grate fear as a parent?

14. What activities did you enjoy?

15. What you really find annoying in other peoples actions or properties?

Play with the questions. Add it if you wish. They are easy to get you thinking. Good hunting!

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