The holidays are a good time, if you’re visiting with family, to capture stories for later generations. Regardless of how you record the information - video, audio, or transcription - the information can be helpful in filling in gaps in vital records. Grandma likely knows a few things about her parents, and even her grandparents, as well as various extended family members.
There are a few articles in GenTales on Medium that can help with this endeavor.
John Newmark, earlier this year, provided tips for interviewing family members.
“Over the years, communicating with other family historians, I have noticed when asked for our deepest regret, one answer keeps returning. We didn’t interview our parents, our grandparents, or other relatives in time. Whether while they were still with us, or while their memories were still with them…Interviews can be stressful for both the interviewer and the one interviewed. Here are five ways that stress can be reduced.”
Jacqueline Jannotta offered up a story of her own family (great-grandfather Frank Balzano, an associate of Al Capone) to show there’s no shame in having not-so-good ancestors and family history. John Newmark also offered advice on how to handle sensitive family history topics that may come in handy should you have a mafioso in your tree as well.
More articles on research hints and help are available in the Researching the Past index.
But beyond GenTales, there are also other Substack newsletters that can offer insight into recording family history. CuZens Genealogy Matters has a good series about how to craft family narratives - the most recent one is embedded below.
And Geneal Cymru has information on solving family photo mysteries - helpful if your great-aunt whips out the photo album and can’t remember who you’re looking at!
Do you have helpful hints for capturing family narratives?
Happy Thanksgiving and an early Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Chag Sameach... May your family gatherings be peaceful and enlightening.
Thanks for including my video in your article. Hopefully your readers find it useful! :)