Creating An Oral Family History With Our Elders

By Pam Ness

Many of us have relied on photos albums, journals, and other physical keepsakes to document experiences and keep history alive within our families. Technology developments have allowed for easy videotaping of special events. Some families now create personal blogs to both preserve memories and photos and share them easily online. There are even apps that allow us to transform photos we post on social media into bound picture books.

But oral history is an amazingly personal way to preserve family history passed down from our elders. An oral history is an audio recording of an individual’s life story and memories. There are no hard and fast rules for how to create an oral history, it can depend upon your family’s preferences, personalities, and situation.

The only equipment required is a digital voice recorder or a smartphone’s voice memo feature, and a camera if you opt for video, too. This can be a great experience for multiple generations, with grandchildren asking their grandparent or great-grandparent questions, and other family members chiming in with supplemental questions as well.

The content of the interview can be as structured or flexible as you’d like. The conversation can take place in one sitting, or be broken up over different times and days. Asking open-ended questions about an elder’s favorite childhood memories, family relationships, and experience of world events can unlock a wealth of precious stories and information that has never been shared. It is helpful to compile a list of questions as a guide before starting the conversation.

Once completed, save your loved one’s oral history onto flash drives that can be distributed to all family members as a lovely gift.This simple process can lead to a deepened connection and understanding of a family’s history and legacy... the most priceless gift of all!

Brought to you by Eldercare Services, the area’s top professional care management, caregiving and home care service for local families.