Interviewing - Ooppps it didn't print last week!

 Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last week we talked about stories for our FamilySearch accounts. During a Relief Society meeting I attended a number of years ago, the topic of stories for family history came up. Some sisters were at a loss as to how to get those stories from family members. One of the sisters suggested doing interviews and, on the spur of the moment, other sisters in the room began presenting interview questions we could use to interview our relatives.

Interviewing family members is a rewarding way to get to know them better. You get their stories along with their feelings, expressions, and “little known” facts that you may not have heard when a story was passed down from others. It is fun to hear about “the good old days” no matter your age!

FamilySearch Blog has an excellent article on Interviewing. Here are some tips posted to that blog in August 2017.

1. Seize the Moment – be ready to record anytime. We just never know when someone will start telling a story from their life. Our smart phones have a recording feature and we can just turn it on and get the story right then! In addition, we do not know how long our family members will be with us or how long they will remember these wonderful events and memories. We need to get them recorded when the opportunity arises.

2. Schedule a time to interview. This could be on a regular schedule (once a month) or just a once or twice event. Send them the questions ahead of time so they can think of the answers for you.

3. Capture with video! Catch their expressions and feelings as they share the stories of their life.

4. Let them do the talking. Say as little as possible while they are sharing. Also, give them time to answer. Do not rush them.

5. Ask open-ended questions. The question suggestions from my Relief Society meeting are below to help you get started.

6. Record songs, poems, and scriptures. Let them sing a favorite song, recite scriptures and poems that mean something to them.

7. Bring scrapbooks, photos and memorabilia to help trigger memories.

8. Break the interview down. Instead of recording a full life story in one sitting, break it down into smaller topics such as First Date, Saturday chores and regular schedule, Favorite subject in high school, etc. You could turn the recording off after they answer one question and restart it again for the next one.

9. Upload and share the recordings. We will be talking more about sharing these on FamilySearch next week. You can also share them with other family members and on other family history sites.

Other tips to think about when interviewing:

Practice on your immediate family members. Interview your spouse and children. When you feel comfortable interview your parents, grandparents and other relatives. Let the person know you are interviewing them for family history and ask their permission to record the interview. Brother May, as a broadcast journalist, reporter and News Anchor has had a lot of experience with interviewing but I am a novice. We “practiced” interviewing each night before bed. I would take a question out of the jar of questions and record his story as he answered. I learned quite a bit about him that I did not know before and we had a great time!

Technology is such a blessing! We have several ways to conduct an interview but the latest technology provided by Heavenly Father is the best! You can conduct an interview with a tape recorder or use more modern technology such as the recording feature on your phone, Skype or Zoom. During this period of COVID19, we have had a lot of hands-on experience with Zoom. Heavenly Father truly has blessed and prepared us.

As we talked about interviewing family members in our Relief Society meeting, one of the sisters pulled out a tape recorder (she was so prepared!). She recorded the questions and presented them in print-out form to each of us the next week. Below are some of those questions to help get you started on your interview.

Family (you, immediate and extended):

1. How many siblings do you have? Are they older or younger? Do they live close to you?

2. Tell me about one of your mothers / dads attributes that you love the most about her / him.

3. Where did you meet your husband? What did you do for your first date? How did he propose?

4. Who taught you to cook? What is your favorite dish to make?

5. What is your favorite / least favorite chore? Why?

6. What is your favorite / least favorite family trip and why?

7. If you had to eat only one thing and drink only one liquid for the rest of your life, what would it be?

8. Other than the scriptures, what is your favorite book or genre? What do you like about it?

9. Who was your favorite teacher in school? What was your least favorite subject?

10. What is your favorite family memory?

11. What was your favorite dream as a child?

12. What did you do today? Was this your regular schedule? If not, why was it different?

13. What is our best memory of a holiday tradition?

14. What is your most embarrassing moment?

15. If you play an instrument, what was the first one you played? Do you still play it? If not, what did you choose and why did you choose it?

16. Tell a story in your life when a struggle made you stronger.

17. Favorites: Flower, vegetable, color, song, quote, etc. Why do you like it?

18. What is your favorite extra-curricular activity in school? What about in your life now?

19. Tell me about your most memorable camping / hiking experience. What made it memorable?

20. Tell about your worst dating experience in high school.

Emotions/Feelings:

1. What was your high today? What was your low?

2. What is the best thing that happened recently?

3. What is the earliest play setting you remember with family or friends? Why was it so memorable?

4. What is the most daring thing you have ever done? Why did you do it?

5. Have you ever been lost? What feelings did you discover in yourself during or after the experience?

6. Did you help anyone today? How did you feel?

7. What are 10 things you are most grateful for? Why?

8. What is your greatest fear?

9. What is a dream that you took to heart?

The Past and Future:

1. If you could live one day over again and change it, what day would you choose and why?

2. If you could live one day over again and keep it exactly the same, what day would you choose and why?

3. If you could ask any person in history a question, who would you ask, what would you ask and why?

4. Tell me about something you would like to do before you pass away. Why is it important to you?

5. What moments in history do you remember in your lifetime?

6. What would you do if you knew today was your last day on earth?

7. If you could live in a different era, which one would you choose and why?

For LDS and religious relatives:

1. Tell your thoughts about Joseph Smith and the beginning of the Church. Do you wish you were there? Why?

2. If you could call down one of your ancestors from heaven and have a conversation with him/her, which one would you call upon and what would you want to talk to them about?

3. If you could meet one of your favorite Book of Mormon characters, who would it be and why?

4. What is your favorite scripture? Why do you like it?

5. What do you learn from bearing your testimony or from hearing the testimony of others?

6. If you could be a witness to any of the Bible miracles which one would you choose? Why?

7. If the angel Moroni stood before you today, what would you want to say to him or ask him?

8. Tell me about times when Heavenly Father answered your prayers.

9. Which Temple is your favorite and why do you prefer it?

10. What do you think heaven looks like?

11. What do you think is Heavenly Mother’s favorite color?

Miscellaneous:

1. If you could be any celebrity who would you be and why?

2. Tell me about the smartest person you know and why you think they are so knowledgeable?

3. If you have a hero or role model in your life, tell about them and why they mean so much to you.

These are just a few “starters” to help get your “creative juices” flowing. The more comfortable you become at doing interviews, the more questions you will be able to think of.

Recorded interviews become treasures as time passes and the family member has left us. I had the opportunity to interview my mother on a couple of occasions before she passed away. What a treasure it is to hear her voice and listen to the stories of her life.

Have fun with your family history interviews. Next week we will learn how to post them to FamilySearch. Until then, we are here for you. Brother and Sister May