Course Document # 1:  Instruction for Conducting a Genealogical Interview
 

1.  Create a clearly thought-out inquiry, containing both general questions and questions specific to the individual being interviewed.

2.  Try to get an advance copy of your questions to the interviewee in order that he/she can give them some thought beforehand.

3.  Before starting the interview, explain to the interviewee how you intend to proceed.

4.  Always try to put the interviewee at ease.  You will tend to get better information that way.

5.  It is best to conduct the interview on tape which you can check later, though it makes sense to take notes as well.  Notes are especially important to signal points that come out in the interview that you wish to pursue after getting down the basics.

6.  Familiarize yourself with your equipment beforehand and check it out at the time of the interview.  (It may be a good idea to have two tape recorders running simultaneously.)

7.  Always have a few extra batteries and tapes available in case the recorder quits during the interview or the interview runs long.

8.  At the beginning of the interview, indicate the basics:  who is being interviewed, their relationship to you, when and where the interview is being conducted.

9.  Do not interrupt the speaker unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.  Make it clear at the beginning that there is no absence of tape and that the interviewee can speak as long as he/she wishes.

10.  Have glasses of water or some other beverage easily available for both of you.

11.  Begin the interview with the basic questions that will generate most of your genealogical facts.  After having gotten that material on record, you can follow up on things that have been said or even allow the discussion to free-flow.

12.  If the interviewee wishes to stop the tape for a rest break, be ready to do so.  Never seem rushed or flustered; it can make the interviewee nervous.

13.  In rare instances, the interviewee may wish to stop the tape in order to say something that he/she does not wish to have recorded.  Do as he/she asks, but turn up your attention level to high and either take notes then or, if the interviewee is not comfortable with that, then remember what is said and record it as soon as possible after the end of the interview when it is fresh in your mind.  This is the onetime when an interview might approach cross-examination, but it should be done gently.

14.  At the end of the interview, clearly label the tapes so you will know exactly what you are looking for later.

15.  Thank the interviewee at the time of the interview and follow up with something even more formal, preferably a letter of thanks.  In some cases, a small gift might be appropriate.  Such courtesies will not only leave the interviewee with a good feeling about the interview, but may help facilitate a follow-up at a later point in time.