How to Structure an Interview for Genealogy Research

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By georgelarson
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Genealogy Research Tools

When you interview your relatives for genealogy research it is good to have a notebook, video or tape recorder, and structure. Have the questions written down before the interview to either keep the relative on task or help them remember to further your research. When interviewing for genealogy research you may be talking with individuals you have never met and having structure provides a professional yet friendly way to ask the appropriate questions. Here are some questions to structure a genealogy research interview.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Genealogy Research Interview

Family Genealogy Research

Start the interview by asking about the person you are talking with. If the individual is talkative encourage them to continue remembering and be sure that you join in. Your interview is all about your relative and their memories so encourage more memories by asking questions and add comments as you go.

Start with these questions-
• What is your full name and were you named after someone in your family?
• What is your family surname and do you know much abut it?
• Did your parents select your name for a specific reason?
• What is your nickname and how did you get it?
• What is your birthday and where were you born?

The next series of questions is about their childhood

• What is the earliest memory, from your childhood, about?
• Where did you live and did you move around a lot?
• What types of games did you play growing up?
• Did you have a favorite toy?
• What school did you attend and where was it located? (Grade school, High school, and College)
• Who is the oldest relative you remember? What was their occupation?
• Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper? (They may have the clipping that you could scan or find it in a library database.)
• Did you go to church? Where? What religion?

Asking these types of questions at the beginning of the genealogy research interview will lighten the atmosphere or nerves or uncomfortable feelings and help lead into the family history questions.
Step 2

Genealogy Research Family Tree

Family History Genealogy

The first item on this list is 'do you have any type of record of your parents, grandparents, or what country they were from?' Then continue your interview with a selection of family history questions.

• What are the full names of your spouse, siblings, parents, and children?
• Where and when did you get married?
• Do you have a family bible that has been handed down through the generations?
• Do you have any recipe cards or books that have passed down to you from family members?
• What stories did your parents talk about and where did this incident take place?
• Are there stories about a famous or bad-guy type who were relatives?
• What physical characteristics have been passed down through the generations? (ie. dimples, types of nose, height, etc.)
• Ask to see any pictures (look for names and dates written on the back), heirlooms (ask who it came from, why they received it, etc.), or cards and letters they have received from other family members.
Step 3

Genealogy Research

Interviewing for genealogy research does not always have to be scheduled. Instead of dreading the upcoming visit from an old Aunt or drag your feet to the family reunion take advantage of it. Bring a tape recorder with you, remember these starter questions, talk to everyone you can and the genealogy research will help grow the family tree.

Comments

Merriment said

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on 8/9/2009 Very good questions to ask while conducting a genealogy research interview. There are many here I wish I would of thought of during my interviews. Maybe I can still get some of them answered. Great tips!