From Past to Present: A Guide to Interviewing Elders & Preserving Family History

Imagine sitting at the kitchen table talking with your dad or beloved auntie. What anecdotes will they share about their lives and the sagas of your ancestors? Are you a caregiver wanting to document the interesting tales you are told while you work? This is your opportunity to gather family stories and history. Perhaps you want to interview a grandparent, teacher, or colleague – someone with insight, experience, and wisdom. For Mitch Albom, author of the New York Times best-seller, "Tuesdays with Morrie," it was his college professor. If he can do it, so can you. Even if the relationship has broken down, this is a chance to hear the rest of the story. You will discover your elders' life experiences, what inspired their actions, their personal identity, and the wisdom they are eager to impart. In this guide, you will gain an appreciation of: Interviewing those with dementia Gathering end-of-life stories Audio/video recording on your phone How to ask open-ended questions Different views on what is true Photoscribing Multi-generational perspectives Legacy letters Genograms & family trees Handling family secrets And... Making a message out of the mess of photos, letters, mementos, and collections! To help facilitate your story-gathering process, we have included space for your personal notes and reflections in the print version of this book. 175 pages At Artichoke Press, our underlying message is "Finding the heart of the story in the journey of life." Judy Helm Wright is an Author/Personal & Oral Historian, and has taught writing for 25 years. Her approachable manner and non-judgmental guidance have helped hundreds of individuals capture family stories and write memoirs.