Interview Tips & Suggested
Questions
Here are some questions and interview tips from Margaret Lazio Lupyan
who has interviewed hundreds of people for her business Memoirs Unlimited,
as well as intergenerational interview tips suggested by the Legacy
Project.
Here are some basic questions you
can ask your grandparent (or other interview subject). These
questions
cover nearly every aspect of
someone’s life and act as a launching pad for many, many memories:
1. Date of birth
2. Where were you born?
3. Name and ages of siblings
4. What was your father's name and occupation?
5. What was your mother's maiden name and occupation?
6. Favorite childhood memories:
7. Date of marriage:
8. To whom?
9. Where?
10. Children/names/birthdates
11. Your occupation
12. Chronology of jobs
13. Hobbies
Additional questions might include:
- Tell me the funniest story about your family.
- Why did your family
move to ________?
- What were your most difficult moments?
- What would you caution
me on?
- What advice would you give me?
- How did you choose your values?
- What have you learned the hard
way?
- What ‘sayings’ did your parents tell you that you’ve
passed on to your children?
- What are the major life lessons you
would like to pass on to me?
Interview Tips:
(a) Relax during the interview, and you will help your grandparent
relax in turn.
(b) Tape recorders are excellent for capturing detail and expression, but
never rely on them alone. Always take notes as well -- the recorder
could fail, your grandparent might speak too softly, or the tape could break.
(c) Your grandparent will probably repeat all or parts of a story, but
each time you will learn more details!
(d) Ask questions slowly; allow time for your grandparent to answer; and show
interest by making eye contact, nodding and leaning forward.
(e) Moments of silence or emotion are natural when remembering and sharing
important life events. Accept whatever comes up as part of this process.
(f) Don’t take more than an hour at a time and be sure to thank your
grandparent for sharing his or her life story with you! You can always continue
the interview at another session. |
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