| As a means of researching family trees, | | | | aged 70. |
| interviewing relatives can be a really enjoyable | | | | Back at about that time a water reservoir called |
| experience for both parties, BUT there are some | | | | the Waranga Basin was being excavated and so |
| rules that need to be obeyed. As with anything | | | | there was a great influx of workers around the |
| worthwhile, genealogy does have guidelines that | | | | area. |
| must be followed if you are at all serious about | | | | Two of the workers living in the tent city that |
| family history. | | | | sprung up were James Edwardsand William |
| 5 Simple Rules | | | | Skinner. They were friends but Skinner got drunk |
| * Contact them first - DON'T just turn up on their | | | | one night andattacked Edwards with a shovel. He |
| doorstep, cassette recorder in hand. Get their | | | | defended himself with a nearby axe and killed |
| permission to do the interview and be honest | | | | Skinner. Fearing the police would not believe it was |
| about why you would like to speak to them. | | | | self-defence, Edwards proceeded to cut up the |
| * Be careful not to offend them by asking | | | | body, placed the parts in hessian bags andthrew |
| questions that maybe too personal or of a very | | | | them into the basin. The parts were later found |
| sensitive nature. Some people will answer any | | | | and an investigation ensued. All these details I got |
| question you throw at them whereas others will | | | | from a newspaper, The Rushworth Chronicleof |
| be more guarded. Obviously if you already have a | | | | 1905. |
| close relationship with Uncle George, he will be | | | | George BURLS and his son Alfred were rabbit |
| quite relaxed in talking to you. Aunty Madge | | | | trapping, which was their occupation, when they |
| however, who you wouldn't know if you fell over | | | | were approached by the culprit, Edwards, who |
| her, is not as likely to be so forthcoming in laying | | | | they both knew from another job site where |
| out the laundry, clean orotherwise, of the family! | | | | they had previously worked together. |
| * It's important to have a list of questions ready. | | | | Edwards denied ever knowing them and said he |
| You may not ask them all or you may need to | | | | wanted to buy some tobacco. |
| alter the focus of some during the interview, but | | | | He did so then left. They were both called to give |
| you should have a list of core questions ready. | | | | evidence at the subsequent trial. End of story! |
| Why? Because this will ensure that you don't | | | | The above are the facts of the case. My |
| forget anything important and secondly it gives | | | | grandmothers version was somewhat more |
| the impression that youactually know what you | | | | elaborate, granting my great-grandfather, who by |
| are doing. Dithering and looking up at the ceiling | | | | the way only had one eye , with the tracking |
| every 5 minutes trying to remember what to ask | | | | down and apprehension of Edwards. But again, |
| next does not inspireconfidence and will likely | | | | shemay have just been repeating what she had |
| make the interviewee uncomfortable. | | | | been told. |
| * DON'T outstay your welcome. You are the only | | | | Handy Interviewing Questions |
| one that can judge when that might be. | | | | Okay, so here are some sample questions to get |
| * Show your appreciation for their time by either | | | | your family trees talking. These are in addition to |
| presenting them with a small gift or simply saying | | | | the mandatory ones such as names, dates of |
| those magic words, "thank you". | | | | birth,marriage death etc. |
| Verify Or Else | | | | 1. Describe your childhood - relationship with |
| Family interviews are a fantastic way to fill in the | | | | parents, siblings. |
| gaps in your family trees, and will provide far | | | | 2. The greatest joy of your childhood was .......? |
| more information than you could ever glean from | | | | 3. As a child, what was your worst fear? |
| a marriage certificate. The quality and detail can | | | | 4. What was your father's occupation and what |
| be extraordinary and enlightening , BUT don't | | | | was the quality of your life like as a child? |
| accept everything Uncle George says as | | | | 5. How would you describe your parents and or |
| beingentirely accurate. His "true story" may not | | | | grandparents - physical characteristics and |
| be true at all. | | | | qualities? |
| THE FIRST RULE IN GENEALOGY IS VERIFY - | | | | 6. What is the most pleasant memory you have |
| wherever possible. The truth can be stretched, | | | | of your parents and or grandparents? |
| twisted, bent and made to disappear altogether. | | | | 7. What was the dumbest thing you ever did as a |
| Thatdoesn't mean Uncle George is lying, he may | | | | child? |
| just be repeating what he wastold by someone | | | | 8. What was your most memorable holiday? |
| else or may have forgotten the details over time. | | | | 9. What was one thing that attracted you to your |
| My Story | | | | spouse? Why? |
| Here is an example of just such a point from my | | | | 10. What was the most difficult moment for you |
| own family history. It is very illustrative of the | | | | as a parent? |
| need, when researching family trees, for accurate | | | | 11. What one thing would you change in your role |
| information. | | | | as a parent? |
| My great-grandfather George BURLS came out | | | | 12. What would you like your children to most |
| from England and settled in rural Victoria, Australia. | | | | remember about you? |
| My grandmother, his youngest daughter, always | | | | 13. What was your greatest fear as a parent? |
| saidthat he was a detective and that he solved a | | | | 14. What activities do you enjoy? |
| murder investigation in a nearby town. Well, that | | | | 15. What do you find really annoying in other |
| was all I had to go on. Firstly if THERE was a | | | | peoples actions or characteristics? |
| murder the localnewspaper was the place to start. | | | | Play with the questions. Add to them if you wish. |
| I knew I would have to go back to the early | | | | They are just to get you thinking. Good hunting! |
| 1900's because my great-grandfather died in 1919 | | | | |