How to Interview
Five simple steps. One unforgettable afternoon.
Step 1
Ask Permission Respectfully
Begin with a warm, honest invitation. Try one of these openings:
"I'm working on a project about family history. Would you be willing to share some of your life stories with me?"
"Is it all right if I interview you and ask you a few questions? Can I record you? We can pick a time and date that works best."
Step 2
Choose a Quiet, Comfortable Place
- ▸The living room (highly recommended)
- ▸The kitchen table
- ▸The front porch on a quiet afternoon
- ▸Anywhere familiar, where memories come easily
Step 3
Record or Take Notes
- ▸A phone audio recorder (simple & reliable)
- ▸A notebook and pencil
- ▸Video, if they're comfortable with it
- ▸Always ask first — let them choose what feels right
Step 4
Listen More Than You Talk
- ▸Don't interrupt
- ▸Let pauses happen — silence often opens new memories
- ▸Ask gentle follow-ups: "What did that feel like?" "What happened next?"
- ▸Make eye contact. Nod. Be present.
Step 5
Say Thank You
Thank them — sincerely — for trusting you with their memories. A handwritten note in the days after means more than you can imagine. You've just become a keeper of something irreplaceable.