Find out where your ancestors originally came from.
What they did for a living.
Everyone is always interested in who they may be related to. A famous movie star, or a pirate. Maybe a gangster or scientist.
The list goes on and on, and that is what draws people to doing a family tree.
Everyone wants to get started, so they immediately get online and go to the various genealogy websites. Which is a great resource to have, and they are very helpful.
Because of all the databases filled with millions of records is the reason so many people can now make their own family tree.
From all my experience in genealogy research and talking with many other people who also do this type of research, we all agree on the number one reason you should begin this project.
That reason is you get to sit down and talk talk talk, with your elders.
From your mom and dad to grandparents and aunts, uncles cousins. The list is endless.
But don't you see what a gift you are giving yourself and your family. The opportunity to sit down and really get to know your parents and grandparents.
Tell everyone what you are intending to do. Gather up photos you have along with a list of questions you would like answered. Make copies and send it out to your relatives.
This will give them all a chance to remember things about the past they may have thought they had forgotten
Schedule appointments. Set up a date and time to meet. This way it gives everyone a a chance to prepare.
If you have to do your interview by phone. You make the call and be very clear you are covering any expenses that may occur.
If you are conducting your interview by phone or in person, you should definitely record it. There are any numbers of inexpensive gadgets you can buy to record phone conversations.
If you can try to interview more then one person at a time. Whenever I talked to may dad about the past, it was hard for him to remember. But when his sisters were with him they would start talking and remember all sorts of thing.
So whenever possible try and have siblings or cousins or even friends from the past join in with the interview.
Do not try and force any issue. If someone cannot remember or choose not to talk about something, fine let it be. This is not an inquisition. You want your family to be relaxed and have a good time.
The afternoons I spent with my dad and aunts, were moments I will treasure always.
When you have completed all your interviews send out thank you notes, letting everyone know how much you appreciated their help. Also a small gift would be nice also.
This is what you cannot get from online websites. Memories with your family.
Unlike the computer, you do not have forever with your mom and dad or grandparents. So take advantage of what you have and go talk to your loved ones.
