People won’t write things down. The simplest way to do it is to videotape them. Borrow a camera if necessary. I’m digitizing tapes from 1989 and they’re still in great shape. If you don’t have a cheap tripod that will work, sit the camera on a table and make sure that the viewfinder shows the subject in focus in their chair. Your chair is next to the camera as close as you can, about the same height as the chair the subject is in. Turn the camera on, check that the camera hasn’t moved, sit and start asking questions in a quiet voice. Nod in exaggerated movement, but keep your mouth closed. Let them talk and encourage with facial expressions and body movements. Only ask when they slow down. You can light the chair they’re sitting in with one of those clip on metal scoops from the hardware store. Bottom line. People won’t write. For family history, you have to take the initiative. Do it once and you’ll fill your shelves with family tapes.
I will try that.
My mother loves to write so that gave me the idea of her writing her life story, more or less.
You just gave me the idea of taking her on a trip to NC and using pictures and her commentary to go from NC to VA, each place her family lived and how they lived at the time.
THANK YOU!