Whenever an elderly relative dies, large chunks of family history and heritage are lost. Adults regret neglecting to ask questions that only those relatives could have answered. Children miss out on opportunities to discover personal perspectives on the past, and the "great events" they study in school lack all human context. Historians and anthropologists use a method called "oral history" to preserve memories of the past. Families interested in preserving their own histories can do the same.
Beginning a Family History Project
The more family members involved in a family history project, the more successful the project is likely to be; but if just one or two people get things started, others may decide to join in. Don't forget to include children and teens, if possible. Many older people particularly enjoy visits from youngsters, and younger people are likely to ask questions their elders will overlook.
Basic equipment is some kind of recording device. Digital devices, either audio or video, are best because the files they produce are easy to edit on a home computer. It no "state of the art" equipment is available, though, that old cassette recorder will do the trick. The equipment can make some interviewees self-conscious, but after a while the camera on its tripod or the microphone on the table will be ignored, and real conversations will ensue.
List and contact the family members to be interviewed in the "first round" – eventually, nearly everybody should be included. It makes sense to start with the elderly, or those in frail health. Do not exclude those who may be affected by some degree of dementia: although their short-term memory may be poor, their memories of times past may be surprisingly good. Older people almost always agree that a family history is a good idea, and happily participate in interviews.
Collecting Oral Histories
First and foremost, remember that history is made up of stories. There is nothing wrong with preparing a list of questions about basic facts like birthplace, dates of important life events, genealogical data, and so on, but it will be the personal stories, in historical context, that will hold the interest of those who view or listen in years to come. It is fine to record two or even three family members at the same time. They will spark each other's memories, and their exchanges will make their histories livelier and more interesting.
A good way to start collecting stories is by looking at a family album. The older photographs are likely to be filled with people who are totally unrecognizable to younger generations, but may play important roles in family history. Sometimes entire branches of a family are "lost," because they moved away or otherwise fell out of contact. Ask about the places the pictures were taken, and the circumstances. Try relating the interviewee's recollections to national and world events happening around the same time
If it seems that a particular topic is "off limits," move away from it quickly. Military veterans, for example, often do not want to discuss their combat experience; few people are comfortable reliving personal tragedies unless the interviewer is somebody very close to them, or shared a similar experience.
Once an interview is started, it tends to proceed naturally, with only a little guidance by the interviewer. One story leads to another, and often the most difficult part of an interview is ending it.
Compiling and Organizing Family Histories
Interviews invariably must be edited, because good editing will make other family members more interested in watching and listening. Arrange segments in the best possible narrative order, not necessarily the order they were recorded. If parts of an interview are dull, repetitive, or hard to follow, cut them out. Remember, though, that things which seem commonplace today may seem very exotic to future generations, and that things that are unremarkable today were thought extraordinary just a few decades ago. There are plenty of people alive today who remember the advent of the pocket calculator and the ball point pen.
It is fairly simple to transfer digital media to your computer, and not much harder to transfer analog media. Scan photographs, and invest in sending home movies to the lab to be transferred to DVD before they fade away. There is inexpensive or even free software for amateurs that makes assembling your raw materials into a finished product simple and fun.
Remember that family history is much more than genealogy. Start collecting oral histories soon – your family will appreciate your efforts, and future generations will be grateful.
Victor A. Gallis - Vic Gallis has written for a variety of literary journals, educational publications, and websites. Thirty years spent in public education, ...
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