Family History

Have you ever thought about interviewing your parents or other elderly relatives?

Are you curious about simple things you may not know? How did they celebrate

the holidays? Did they share a room growing up? Do they have a faith story

they’d like to share?

Where we live, and even who we are, is influenced by those who came before

and they may have surprising things to share. Google can help you find “family

interview questionnaires” and the responses can be recorded on paper or even as

an audio recording. My sister and I interviewed and recorded my parents a few years ago. My grandfather was interviewed in 1996 when he was in his 90’s and the recording has become logged into the historical society of the small town where he grew up in Northern Maine.

http://oralhistory.library.ucla.edu/familyHistory.html Here’s a sample to get you

started.

And for those who want to go deep with your mom (gulp) - https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/questions-ask-your-mother-now

“When you remember me, it means you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. “ ~~~~ Frederick Buechner

-Val