How To Create A Video Family History

The Complete Guide to Interviewing and Taping Your Family's Stories & Memories
by Rob & Laura Huberman
14.95, Cover: Paperback, ISBN: 0-9674074-4-3, ©2003

Contents

Acknowledgments

1 Introduction to Video taping Family Histories What is a video family history?
Watch your family history come alive!
Now you can discover and capture family “treasures.”
You don’t need complicated equipment
Our question guide makes interviews easy
Opportunities to record family history are all year long!

2 Video Basics
First of all – you don’t need a video degree.
You can use any kind of equipment.
Chose a high quality video tape.
How to compose a good-looking TV picture.
Improving “hollow” sound quality.
Improving uneven lighting.
Preventing accidental erasure of tapes.

3 Interviewing Basics
When is the best time to do a Video Family History interview?
where should i conduct the interview?
Do i need to prepare in advance?
How do I approach elderly individuals about a video interview?
Can others be present during an interview?
How much can I expect to tape?
Should subjects bring anything to the interview?
Is there any special advice for the interviewer?
Where should the interviewer sit?
How do I get the interview started? v Can I tape more than one individual at a time?
What if a response needs clarification?
What if the subject gets emotional or upset during taping?
Can we take breaks during the interview?
How long should the interview last?
Is there a proper way to end the interview?
One last tip about asking questions

4 Just Before You Get Started
Prepare your location
Make sure there’s enough light
Prepare a comfortable spot for your subject to sit.
Avoid conflicting backgrounds and clothing.
Beware of sounds throughout the house.
Leave enough room for your video equipment.
Be sure there’s a plug nearby!

5 THE VIDEO Family History Question Guide How to use the Video Family History Question Guide
How to get your interview started
Loosen up with a warm-up conversation and test recording
Let’s introduce our SPECIAL GUEST
About Your Family Roots (before coming to this country)
About Your Family Roots (after coming to this country)
About Your Father
About Your MOTHER
About Your PARENTS MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE
About Your SIBLINGS
About Your Childhood
About Your Marriage
About Your BABIES
About Your Children
About Your OTHER RELATIVES
About Your IN-LAWS
About Being Grandparents
About Your Education
About Your HOMES & WHERE YOU LIVED
About Your Employment History
About Your Friends
About Your Health
About Your ReligioUS BELIEFS
About Your Recreation And Leisure
About Your Special Family Occasions
About Your Military Experiences
About Yourself
About Your Personal Accomplishments
About SPECIAL INFLUENCES
Do You Have A Special Message To Share?
Add YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

6 Not Necessarily Your Everyday Questions
Can You...?
Did You Ever...?
Have You Ever Been...?
Are You...?
Do You...?
Where Were You When...?
What Is Your...?
What Is The...?

7 A Calendar Year of Questions To Ask
New Year’s v Martin Luther King Day v Groundhog Day
Valentine’s Day
President’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day
Spring Begins
Passover
Easter
April Fools Day v Earth Day
Cinco de Mayo
Mother’s Day v Armed Forces Day v Memorial Day
Flag Day v Summer Begins
Father’s Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Back To School
Autumn Begins
Columbus Day
Halloween
Election Day
Veterans Day
Ramadan
Thanksgiving
Hanukkah
Winter Begins
Kwanzaa
Christmas

About The Authors