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Record family stories
Relationships: Family

Why do you want to do this?

There are so many things about my family that I don't know. I think that's true of all of us. How many things do we really know about our grandmother's childhood, our aunt's college years? Or even what our siblings have been up to since we all moved out of the house? What about those family members related by marriage only? These stories could be accessible to us if we ask. And since humans are mortal beings, they are only accessible for a limited time. There are already people I can't ask these questions. We all die, and the clock is ticking on what we can find out from our families. I'd like to make a book of as many family stories as I can. It'll be great for me, and maybe I can give it to other family members as well for a keepsake.

What three things will you need to make this happen?

I'll need to talk to my family members about this idea, which I haven't yet, and convince them to tell me stories. I'll also need to find out whether they would rather write the story down or tell it out loud (and if they tell it out loud, whether it would be okay for me to taperecord them). Finally, they may need a little guidance about what kind of story to tell since when you just say "Tell me a story about your life" it's hard for someone to pick one, so I'll need to think up something for that.

I'll need high-quality recording equipment if people want to tell their stories out loud. I'll need to buy it this week so I have it by Christmas!

I'll need to think about whether I can include stories ABOUT those family members who have passed away, even if the stories can't be in their own words anymore. Or maybe some of them have actually written stories? I'll need to find out how to get access to those.

What is the biggest barrier to your achieving this?

Though many people wouldn't think it, I am shy about asking my family these types of questions and talking to them about personal things. Not because we don't have a good relationship, but just because I often tend to be very private about certain things, and it's hard for me to break that habit. I feel nervous and uncertain about approaching people for this kind of thing.

12/13/2010 6:07:14 AM

This is an awesome idea!  I, too, have considered doing this.  I started working on my family genealogy and now with all but one of my grandparents living, I don't have people to fill in the gaps or give me some additional information.  I can't wait to see how you come along with this!

12/29/2010 6:03:45 AM

Well, Christmas is over, so I'll post what I got done while I was visiting my family:

(1) I bought recording equipment before I went so that I'd have it on hand. I still need to get more figured out about exactly how it works, but I have it and it's nice and portable.

(2) I had the fit of shyness I expected, and it kept me from asking people their stories like I was afraid of. But, I did work up the nerve to at least TELL various relatives about the plan, and they all seem to like it, so I think they will all be willing to participate.

(3) I asked a family member who has lots of experience with interviews and historical research for any pointers on the project. She was kind but didn't seem that excited about helping for whatever reason--I think she actually felt shy too since there were people around us, so in hindsight I should've captured her alone like I initially wanted to (then I ended up focusing so hard on getting over MY shyness that I lost sight of that). So I think maybe I could email her to follow up so she can respond in private. She still might not want to help, but I could try.

In other words, I didn't make as much progress as I hoped, but I did make progress in pushing myself through the very first couple of steps. And I'll have opportunities to do some stuff before next year: I can email the younger members of the family who would be comfortable writing stuff down and try to get written email stories from them.

12/29/2010 9:58:15 AM

 One thing you may want to try is to record a phone conversation. It would be much easier to chat over the phone with your relatives. I have recorded some interviews and the quality is unbelievable. You can do this all for free by using the programs below.  (Just Google the names and you can get to the Programs)

a. Set up Skype on your Computer

b. Download Wiretap Studio (They have a 30 Day Free Trial). It retails for $60 if you want to Purchase

c. Load Audacity (This is a free program that will allow you to edit and save the MP3 Files)

d. Save files as an MP3

Let me know if you have any questions. Love to help. Bill

12/30/2010 5:37:55 AM

At least you got the equipment!  I agree with Bill, though, a phone conversation would be MUCH easier...  that way you can have your questions in front of you (without feeling silly having them during a face to face conversation) AND sometimes you get those old folks who like to ramble and maybe the would do that on the phone.  :o)  GOOD LUCK!

1/3/2011 6:00:19 PM

Thank you so much Bill and WorkingMama! The phone conversation idea is a great one! And I didn't think of it at all before. I think this is definitely something to try. ^_^

1/25/2011 11:34:24 PM

How is this going?  Have you found anything new?

1/26/2011 7:26:20 PM

Hi Nichole--Actually I've been focusing so hard on decluttering for the 21-Day Challenge that I've let this goal slip to the background. But now that you mention it, I realize that this is probably the one goal that has the tightest time limit in many ways, so even though it feels safe to set it aside while I focus on other areas, that's not necessarily true. Thank you for bringing this back to the top of my mind again. It's a good reminder!

7/10/2011 7:54:25 PM

 Hi Foleyartist, I was wondering how you're coming along with this goal.  Put any more thought into it at all?

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12/12/2010 11:54:40 AM

Peg--her experience as an author seems very relevant to this project, so maybe she would let me interview her about how to go about it and/or share some ideas.