Growing up I heard a lot of stories from older family members about our ancestors and at the time I never wrote down the information. Now I try so very hard to remember some of those stories as I do my research to help fill in the blanks.
It is time now to start recording your family history. Interview those family members who still recall information. Ask the simple questions: full names of people, location names, and dates (even approximate dates can help).
Not sure what questions to ask, The UnPuzzling Your Past Workbook, by Emily Anne Croom, has blank interview forms for Pre-1930 Period, Depression – 1930s, World War II and the 1940s, and many more that can provide guidance.
I recommend using a recorder to catch all the information for oral interviews. It is more important to encourage the interviewee to expand on their answers than trying to keep up with what they are saying at the time.
Take the time to ask the questions now before the information is lost.
Excellent stuff – Thanks for posting that info, I think that it mostly answers my question.
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