http://www.care2.com/greenliving/creating-a-family-oral-history-part-one.html
Creating a Family Oral History: Part One
By Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor
I wish I’d interviewed my grandparents, and recorded some of their stories, before they died. One grandfather worked in the Roosevelt administration and entered Germany with the first Allied troops right after World War II ended. My grandmother graduated from college at a time when few women received more than a high school education. I can still clearly remember the sound of my grandparents’ voices, but I’ve forgotten many of the stories they told me.I wish I’d asked more questions before it was too late.
Many friends and acquaintances I talk to have the same regret. “There are so many things I’d ask her now, if I had the chance,” a friend told me wistfully after her mother died. “And I’d give anything to have a recording of her voice.” Like many people, my friend intended to interview her mother and create an oral history, but never got around to it.
If you’ve ever thought about interviewing a beloved relative, why not do it while you still have the chance? You could resolve to get started, for example, during the upcoming holiday season. Once the festivities are over, you’re likely to be spending quiet time with your family. If you’re stuck inside on a blustery winter afternoon, why not make a pot of tea and sit down with relatives and listen to their stories?
Some things to consider before you get started:
Less is more. Try not to treat this as a major undertaking, or you may never get started at all. Remember that you’re creating a personal history, not writing a definitive biography–or a bestseller. Just bring along a decent tape recorder, make sure you have plenty of tape and batteries on hand, and you’re ready to go. You should tell your relatives what you’re doing, of course, and get their permission to record their conversations, but you don’t need to set up a formal agenda or keep to any strict deadlines. Try to keep the interview sessions as spontaneous, conversational, and casual as possible.
Don’t forget the props. This is an excellent time to get out old photo albums, diaries, and other mementos, to stir memories and trigger anecdotes.
Involve your children in the project if you can. If your children are unwilling, best not to force the issue. But if you can turn the project into a multi-generational family event, it will be more meaningful–and fun–for everyone involved.
Be sensitive to your relative’s feelings. The advantage of launching an oral history project during the holiday season could be a drawback as well: Holidays can unleash powerful feelings of loss, regret, and sadness (as well as joy, gratitude, and love). Check in frequently with your relative to see how the project is affecting her.
Tune in for part two for more about creating a family oral history–including interviewing tips and other ideas. And if you’ve interviewed your parents or other older relatives, I’d love to hear your suggestions and how it turned out.
Caring.com was created to help you care for your aging parents, grandparents, and other loved ones. As the leading destination for eldercare resources on the Internet, our mission is to give you the information and services you need to make better decisions, save time, and feel more supported. Caring.com provides the practical information, personal support, expert advice, and easy-to-use tools you need during this challenging time.
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14 comments
add your comment »thankyou...
Kabin
Konteyner
mega kabin
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This is a great idea - thanks for the timely reminder. My grandfather died just as I was studying first world war history and just as I'd got to the point where I felt that I would understand better what he'd been doing in it.
I'm going to record my parents now, and keep the recordings for their great grandchildren.
One question - why is everyone still talking of taperecorders? MP3 players have recording facilities, or if you don't have and MP3 player which records, you can do it directly onto the computer. Then the digital records will have a better chance of survival for posteritiy.
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Family history is and always has been a tricky issue for me as I'm adopted. I want to record my adoptive parents history as they are my childrens grandparents, and two of my kids have children of their own now. However I also want to record the information I have on my biological family. They are just as important for my children and grandchildren to know about, and genetially speaking even more important. The trick is how to integrate these two stories.
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this is great!
i'm just finishing school, so it will be the perfect time to do the interviews... ill be looking forward for those tips.
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As a veteran of WWII, my experiences have been recorded in a published book Seeds of Hope. My descendants all have copies.
Bill Sabel
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Great stuff. People love knowing about their past, so it's the responsibility of those of us in the present to make sure we capture what will one day be gone.
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I have long regretted not recording my paternal grandmother's history. She came to the US from The Ukraine right after the Russian Revolution.
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I did just that for a dear family member, although at the time he was in his 90's he wrote all him memories down and from that I typed them up word for word and sent it away to be bound by a book-binder. My dear one was so pleased when I presented him with the book of his life, in which I had also the pleasure of adding a few comments of my own and when he passed on I took great delight in also passing on his precious book. I am now a Grandmother myself and must know I must write things down for my Grandchildren but I am glad to say, for the time being, I still have too much energy left in me to stop for a moment - maybe next year!
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What a shame it is to see only five comments. I guess I was blessed by being taught that the person standing next to me was was cousin...three times removed. Many of my people find it hard to believe that I can name many people. I care! But I can't go beyond my great grandfather. Darn!
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I too wish I had long conversations with my grandmothers. But I do recall knowing enough about them many gaps were filled in as memories often came back to me. Each grandmother were so vastly different from the other, The difference between them is what made me remember them so well.
Plant trees for life......
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