Blog Comments

When tracing your family history, a wealth of information could come from a close relative. You might have never considered talking to other family members about their lives and what they may know about earlier generations. Very few people have these discussions, at least not of any real depth.Many times there have been opportunities to ask, but at the time we weren’t interested in knowing and now it could be too late. The time has come to make talking with your relatives about their history a priority. Interviewing your relatives is an important step in your genealogical research process.

While your great-grandmother may have already passed, you probably have parents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, and cousins that have information about your ancestors. All of these relatives could be a source for names, dates, locations, photos, diaries, and even a bit of gossip. These family members might have suggestions of other people you could interview about your departed relatives. You never know, they might even have documents that could add to your genealogical file. Think about how helpful this information could be.

I strongly recommend that you conduct interviews with your family in person. Some people could be put off by receiving an impersonal questionnaire in their mailbox or inbox. Some information they have to share might be closely guarded because its very personal or even evocative. You’re likely to discover much more by conducting the interview face-to-face by displaying your interest in whatever your relatives say and taking care to reassure them of your honorable intentions.

Never misuse the information you uncover, and always remain discreet. The material you gather from these interviews relates to living people or people within living memory. In an effort to encourage relatives to talk to you, let them know that you won’t broadcast any sensitive information to the entire family. Let them know that you consider the information to be important family history data. For your relatives the information is a lifetime of valued memories – to treat it with profound respect.

When your relatives are comfortable with your motives, they may provide all kinds of detail that you never dreamed they knew. Your interest may spark more memories or lead to further revelations.  Always leave lots of time for these interviews. You never know how long Uncle Hank will talk once you get him going.

In addition to these interviews, you can also gather information at Mundia.com  The site is free to use and lets you collaborate with other interested family members to build your family tree.  I strongly recommend this site for anyone interested in tracing family history.