Conducting an oral history interview with family members

Vicki Tobias
Aug 1
3 min read

How many times have you thought, “I need to ask Grandma about her childhood in Iowa,” or “I should write down that story before I forget it”?

Family stories live in the moments we least expect, shared over a holiday meal, told during a road trip, or remembered in laughter around the kitchen table. But unless we take time to preserve them, those memories can slip away.

Recording an oral history interview with a loved one is a powerful way to keep those stories alive. You’ll hear the details no birth certificate or census record can tell you—the inside jokes, the weird family traditions, the personal twists on big events. These are the stories that animate names on a tree.

These conversations can help untangle confusing relationships, fill in missing pieces, or even challenge what you thought you knew. And the best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or training to start. Just curiosity, a few good questions, and the willingness to listen.

Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Prepare your equipment. Be sure you have a reliable audio recorder or video camera, and test it beforehand.
Using an iPhone to record? Set your phone to Airplane Mode. This prevents calls, texts, or notifications from interrupting the recording.
Choose a quiet, private and comfortable setting. Select a familiar place where your family member feels at ease.
Develop an outline in advance. Create a list of topics or questions to guide the interview, but be flexible enough to follow interesting tangents. Consider sharing a few prompts in advance to help spark memories.
Start with the basics. Begin with simple questions about birth date, place, and immediate family members’ information to help the interviewee relax.
Use open-ended questions. Ask questions that encourage detailed responses rather than yes/no answers. Ask follow-up questions such as "Can you tell me more about that?" "How did that make you feel?" or "How did that affect your life afterwards?"
Be an active listener. Show interest through body language and follow-up questions.
Bring items to spark discussion. Photos, heirlooms, or documents can help stimulate memories and stories.
Respect boundaries and privacy. Be sensitive to topics your family members may not want to discuss.
Plan for multiple sessions. Complex life stories may require more than one sitting. Older interviewees may tire more quickly so be sensitive to their limitations.
Obtain permission. Discuss how the interview will be used and get consent for recording and sharing.
Save your work. Be sure to back up a copy of your digital files (audio and/or transcript) with your other genealogy research.
Share your work. Offer the interviewee a copy of their interview or interview transcript for their own collection.

For more tips, take a look at Conducting a Family History Interview (American Ancestors) and How to Conduct an Oral History Interview with Seniors (Visiting Angels), which includes an excellent list of questions to help you build an outline and script.

The Oral History Association (OHA) provides access to excellent resources and tips for conducting oral history interviews.

Tobias History Research is a premier provider of history research and archives management services. With 20+ years of professional experience, founder Vicki Tobias helps clients expertly discover their history and enthusiastically share their stories. Learn more about her services.