Last month, I read this great interview with D. Joshua Taylor, president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, Director of Family History at findmypast.com and co-host of Genealogy Roadshow. The interview was written by Creastleaf for Family History Daily.
I was especially inspired by this question and answer:
Crestleaf: To you, what are the top three most important questions people should ask when conducting oral history interviews with their family members?
JT: First, who was the oldest relative you knew; make that leap from one generation to another while you can. Second, ask them about their childhood – these are the clues and tidbits that we cannot readily find in existing records. Finally, ask them about a memory of yourself – too often we fail to document our own stories.
I think those questions are brilliant! They’re informal, will glean great information, and, I think, spark more conversation.
I just spent some time with my elderly parents on a whirlwind visit to Walla Walla, Washington, with my niece and nephew, who live in Australia. I had hoped to try out those questions but ended up having precious little time for such conversations. When I go back in a couple of months for a more leisurely visit, I’ll be sure and ask the questions. I hope to be able to ask them of my aunt (my father’s sister) as well.
And when I do, I’ll report here. My thanks to Crestleaf, Family History Daily, and, of course, Joshua Taylor for such great information!
Great questions and not some I would automatically think of. D. Joshua Taylor will be the speaker this year at the Southern Illinois Genealogical Society Conference. I’m looking forward to hear him in person. Thanks for sharing this info!
How exciting that Joshua Taylor is speaking at the Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois conference on August 8! I enjoyed that conference so much last year; I’ll do my best to attend again this year, though it may conflict with my summer trip to visit my family. I so appreciate your introducing me to it last year, Vickie!