My goal during a recent research trip to Ohio was to interview my Aunt Doris, age 81 (my mother's sister). Before leaving home I prepared a list of questions to ask and a checklist of equipment to take. Equipment and supplies included:

1. tape recorder
2. extra tapes
3. extra batteries
4. list of questions to ask
5. paper and pens

I telephoned Doris and asked permission to interview her. Before I left home I tested my tape recorder and made a list of questions I wanted to ask. I made an appointment and arrived at her home on time. She lives near Painesville, east of Cleveland, Ohio.

I wanted to learn more about her youth, schools she attended, her parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and especially more about my own parents who passed away several years ago. Doris is a member of the Grange (a fraternal order farmer's organization popular in the Midwest)--an organization about which I wanted to know more.

During the interview I asked "open-ended" questions, not questions that required a yes or no answer. I asked her to tell me about her early years, family memories, musical talents, her employment, the Great Depression, World War II experiences, marriage, children, grandchildren, and so forth. She worked as a volunteer with Civil Defense during World War II watching for airplanes headed for Cleveland. I found this very interesting local history information.

It was a memorable experience for me to interview my oldest living relative and have her talk about our family. I shall always cherish these oral history tapes and the closeness I share with Doris because of our shared interest in the family.

My Aunt Doris has assumed the role of family historian over the years by collecting family Bibles, photos, genealogies, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks. Because of my enthusiasm and interest in our family, Doris has shared family photos and family records with me.

Tips for Interviewing
- Interview your oldest living relatives as soon as possible.
- Plan your interview ahead of time.
- Prepare for the interview by making a list of questions to ask and by testing your equipment. Take extra tapes and batteries with you for the interview.
- Ask "open-ended" questions about family memories, parents and grandparents, school days, vacations, dating, marriage, children, military service or wars, hobbies, and so forth.
- Preserve the audio or video tapes in a safe place, type a transcription, and share copies with family members. You may also wish to donate to copy to a local public or university library or historical society, along with your transcription.

Internet Sites of Interest
Capturing the Past: How to Prepare and Conduct an Oral History Interview http://www.kbyu.org/capturingpast

Cyndi's List: Oral History & Interviews
http://www.cyndislist.com/oral.htm

Doing Oral History
http://www.gcah.org/oral.html

How to Collect Oral Histories
http://www.usu.edu/~oralhist/oh_howto.html

Oral History Questions
http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/oralhist.htm

Oral History Workshop on the Web
http://www.baylor.edu/~Oral_History/Workshop_welcome.html

Tips for Interviewers
http://library.berkeley.edu/BANC/ROHO/rohotips.html

Using Oral History: Guidelines for Doing Oral History
http://www.cms.ccsd.k12.co.us/ss/SONY/orbeta1/orlguide.htm