Ask Them Anything
- Leslie Ryan
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
Whether you are a beginning or an experienced genealogist or family historian, your best and least expensive source of info will be your own family. Ask them anything and everything! Here are some ideas of what and how to ask.
I was recently surprised by the teenager next door who could not answer the question, "What does your dad do?" She thought for a minute and said she had no idea. "Something with computers," she said. As a Family Historian, I'm probably a little more interested in that kind of info, but it did remind me of the interviews I did with my parents and their siblings which lead to some lovely stories about their own childhoods. When I say "Ask Them Anything," I mean it!
Back in the covered wagon days before everyone had cell phones and email, I snail mailed out some family questionnaires, and they sent them back! So now I have the added blessing of seeing their handwriting some thirty years later too. Here are some questions you could ask:
Where were you born?
Where did you grow up?
Where did you go to school?
Where did you work? Or What was you favorite job?
What were your hobbies?
Next, ask the same things about their parents. What do they remember? Are there any funny stories about them? Come to find out, my grandparents loved to dance, and my grandfather would often perform solo at family functions! I learned his favorite numbers and was able to share them with their delighted descendants.
Get their addresses where they grew up and do an internet search to see if it's still there. Take a shot of the house and share it with your family. Some yearbooks are online, search the High School name and see if you can find your family member in pictures or at least the building.
We have the added technology now to interview them with the phone, your tablet, or computer. You record that interview on that device, and you will their have their voices and images preserved for the next generations as well as their memories!
So, again, whether you are a beginning family historian or an old hand, Ask Them Anything and you too may get some excellent surprises and insights. Then you'll be ready to write a great(er) family history. You will also get more clues that may help you break through that brick wall!
Would you like some help? Ask Me Anything too! Email for your free consultation!
Happy Hunting,
Leslie Ryan
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