Creating an oral family history

Creating an oral history of your family is truly one of those gifts that keep on giving. You’ll never regret taking the time and effort to create one. The act of creating an oral history is just as valuable for you, the interviewer, as you develop a personal connection to their past. But where do you start? Our guide will help.   

What is an oral history?

The truth is it can be whatever you want it to be. Fundamentally it’s the telling of a family’s history, expressed in any number of ways. It used to be the information was captured on a tape recorder. But nowadays it’s fairly easy to capture and edit video, and intersperse it with photography and other footage to tell a story. Be creative! Just keep in mind that this needs to be fun. So take on only as much as you’re capable of to make sure you’re pleased with the outcome. Keep in mind, too - if videos aren’t your thing, a lovely scrapbook can achieve the same goal.

Capturing the story

A family reunion presents a perfect opportunity to sit down with older members of the family and ask them about how things were “back in the day.” Most of them will love telling stories about their childhood, how they learned to make a living, raise a family and overcome obstacles along the way. They relish being asked to pass down some words of wisdom to the younger generation and the mere act of asking them about their life story allows them to feel valued.

It’s best to have a series of questions prepared ahead of time. It’s even better if you’re able to send the questions out to everyone before the reunion. You might also suggest that family members bring memorabilia to display on a table.

Besides individual interviews, you’ll find that trading memories among family members can also be fun. For example, you could record an exchange between aunts and uncles about particular family events or what life was like growing up with their parents or grandparents. You could film them looking at old photographs while they tell the stories behind them; include a shot of the actual photo or some other memorabilia, such as a piece of jewelry, documents, ethnic dress or family Bible, that becomes a focal point for discussion.

What to ask

How to Tape Instant Oral Biographies by Bill Zimmerman is a nice, easy-to-use book that lists some questions – beyond the typical fact-finding ones – you can use to get great stories for an oral history:

1. Is there a story behind how you were given your name?

2. Who were the first family members to settle in this country and what brought them here?

3. Do you know of any stories about what life was like for them?

4. How did your parents meet?

5. How did your parents make a living?

6. Is there any particular hardship that they faced?

7. Was there any special “saying” your mom or dad used? What did it mean?

8. What beliefs did your parents try to teach you?

9. Talk about any special traditions we celebrate in our family.

10. Do you recall any special home remedies that your mom or grandmother used?

11. What was your hometown like when you grew up?

12. What do you miss most about it?

13. Did you have a nickname and how did you get it?

14. How do you think your friends would describe you as a teenager?

15. If married, how did you meet your spouse?

16. How did you know your spouse was “the one”?

17. Any suggestions on how to enjoy a long marriage?

18. What goals did you set for yourself in your twenties?

19. How did those change and why?

20. Did you go to war?

21. Where were you stationed?

22. Can you describe the day you were called up?

23. If you’ve had children, what are the three most important things you’ve taught them?

24. What would you say are your major accomplishments in life?

25. Any big surprises in your life or special hardships?

26. How did you get through them?

27. What should we pass on to the next generation about our family?

The bottom line

• An oral history of your family can be a wonderful gift for your loved ones – as well as for you, as you’ll get a sense of your roots.
• An oral history can take many forms – as simple as a scrapbook or as complex as a video complete with interviews and photography from the past.
• A family reunion is a good place to start to conduct interviews. It allows you to capture video of loved ones talking to each other about the past – which can result in some compelling footage.
• Be sure to ask leading questions about people’s lives – not just the obvious ones about family history. You’d be surprised what comes out when you ask an older aunt, “What was your nickname and how did you get it?”