Interviewing for your Scrapbooks

A fantastic way to gather information for a scrapbook about your family is to interview them. Ask them questions and you'll be surprised at how much valuable information you can acquire. Whether you're interviewing your three year old about his favorite things, or your grandmother about her life during World War II, getting the person's perspective can bring fantastic depth to your journaling.

When asking questions in an interview situation--with the grandmother, more likely than the three year old-these tips will help your interview be successful. Make sure you cover the bases. You want your journaling to be both informational and emotionally appealing to the reader.

Be ready. Make sure you have enough paper, pens, video camera or tape recorder, camera, and batteries if needed. Have your questions typed up and ready with plenty of space on each page for notes/answers. Have an open mind and a ready smile. No matter what, don't be shocked or angry at interview replies. You never know what you might hear!

Keep it chronological. Start with your questions about their early life and work your way to the present. If they mention particular memorabilia or an heirloom item that is right on hand, snap a photo!

Write down the basics. Don't forget to ask your subject where particular events took place and when they happened. Even a rough decade, date or state helps give the journaling 'roots'. Details about who, what, when, where and why also help future family scrapbookers and documentarians to continue your work.

Ask opened ended questions. Once you have the basics, ask questions that go beyond simple yes and no answers. Sample questions could include:

• What are the names of your parents or grandparents and where were they born? Why did they move? What did they do for a living? Why did they choose this line of work?


• What information can they tell you about the town they grew up in? When? What was it like living there, etc.? Funny stories? Most humorous family member? Oddest?


• What kinds of customs and traditions are celebrated by the family? How have these customs changed over the years?


• Were there any specific medical conditions that are hereditary in the family? How did the family show a sense of 'team' or family spirit in hard times or serious illnesses?


• Are there any "old ways" or customs that they recall from their ancestors times and why?


• Were there special holiday traditions or treats that were celebrated by the family? Special events? Classic family stories?

Work around the suspicions of the elderly in an interview. They may not know you (a younger generation) as well as you know them. They may also have privacy issues. Still want to know the answer? Just ask a similar question in a different way. Instead of asking "Were your parents rich or poor?" ask your subject "What was the most extravagant gift you ever received?"

Be an active listener. Enjoy yourself! People will talk longer to you if they know you are actively listening. Your subject will tell you more about how they truly feel if they know you really care about their lives.