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Family Trees That Talk - Interviewing Relatives

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




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