Initial Family Research: Conducting the Self-Interview

by Tina Mitchell Boutall, Research Committee

What is a Family Tree?

A researcher can approach family research several ways. A tree can be built using different formats to showcase the work.

Direct Lineage – also known as the pedigree. This tree begins with you, your parents, your grandparents, and so forth. A pedigree follows a single blood line, usually the line of the father as far back as verified credible documents take the researcher.

Family Lineage – rather than focusing on direct or linear descent, the family lineage shows all siblings. This lineage focuses on the family instead of just one individual.

Descendant Tree – a descendant tree is the family tree displayed in reverse order. The researcher begins with an ancestral couple and traces their descendants to the modern day. This format is often used in DNA testing and provides a basis for most genetic genealogy performed today.

Collateral Genealogy – is similar to Direct Lineage with additional relatives added who descend from the most recent common ancestor (MRCA). In a collateral genealogy, the researcher records the siblings, their spouses, and offspring. It has some similarities to the Descendant Tree. This type of genealogy is used to break down brick walls in research and provide a clear picture of the family as it functioned in a particular time period. These types of research clusters provide clues for additional research to find the elusive ancestor(s) behind the brick wall.

Initial Research

1. Write what you know.

a. Conduct a Self-Interview. Many researchers begin by interviewing the oldest ancestor. The parent, aunt, or uncle who can recall the most about the family history. Few think to interview themselves. Before embarking on the interview process with family members, write down what you know from memory, and include details about yourself.

b. Conduct family interviews. Reunions seem like great opportunities. I mingle with everyone but leave my clipboard and recorder at home. Interviews are great in a one-on-one setting perhaps in the comfort of someone’s home. Details could be missed in the noise of the family gathering. Make appointments to see those family members and talk about the old days. A list of interview questions is provided here for your review. Pick 25 of interest to you and make visits or phone calls.

c. Create a Family Interview Binder

2. Become Familiar with Genealogical Terms
Ancestry.Com Concise Genealogical Dictionary

Dictionary of Genealogy and Archaic Terms

3. Identify Records and Collect Source Information

a. Family histories from long ago rarely contain source information. While the information may be accurate, it is difficult to replicate the research without citations. Determine the source of all information held by your family.

2. Verify Previous Research

a. Older family histories are no longer considered credible sources for multiple reasons.

i. Information available today may change the previous conclusions drawn in older family histories.

ii. Records located may conflict with the information contained in the older family history.

iii. Few contain citations or used primary and secondary sources to verify the stories told by our ancestors.

iv. While researchers may record what they find, some never record what they fail to find. Both are important when documenting your family history.

3. Analyze Research Findings

a. How does the information uncovered reflect on the established family stories?

b. What question(s) does the newfound research answer?

c. What question(s) does the newfound research create?

d. Is all research provided from credible sources?

e. Is another record required to verify the information found to date? One source may not be enough. Seek multiple credible resources to verify birth, death, property, taxation, and marriages.

4. Organize and Write

a. Keep a research journal of all searches and the findings.

b. Write down what you learned and what other research is required. This helps the researcher pick back up even after weeks away from the family records.

The Self-Interview

Self-Interview Questionnaire – Genealogy Research

1. What is your full name? Is there a story behind your name? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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2. What is your nickname, and why? _________________________________________________________________________

3. Where did you grow up? _____________________________________________________________________________________

4. Did other family members live near you growing up? Who were they? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Describe your home growing up: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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6. Do you recall any special items in your household? Grandfather’s clock or Grandma’s China?
List them here:

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7. What is your earliest childhood memory?

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8. What is your mother’s full name? __________________________________________________________________________

9. Mother’s Dates of Birth and Death: _______________________________________________________________________

10. Parents of Biological Mother: ______________________________________________________________________________

11. Name of Biological Father? _________________________________________________________________________________

12. Father’s Dates of Birth and Death: _________________________________________________________________________

13. Parents of Biological Father: ________________________________________________________________________________

14. Describe your family members:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. What personality traits does your family share? ________________________________________________________

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16. Your favorite color? __________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Your favorite game? _________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Name your favorite toy and tell us why? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Did you have a pet? Cat, dog, bird? ________________________________________________________________________

20. Where did you attend school and name some of your classmates: ___________________________________

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21. Did you serve in the armed forces? ________________________________________________________________________

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22. Name your best friend? _________________________________________________________________________________

23. Who was your high school sweetheart? ___________________________________________________________________

24. The man/woman you married? _____________________________________________________________________________

25. Where did you meet your spouse? _________________________________________________________________________

26. Who said, “I love you” first? _________________________________________________________________________________

27. Describe your spouse/significant other. What is easy to love about him/her? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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28. What religion did your family practice? ___________________________________________________________________

29. What type of music do you like? ____________________________________________________________________________

30. Did you play sports? __________________________________________________________________________________________

31. What major event(s) had a major impact on you growing up?

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32. Your favorite holiday or time of year? _____________________________________________________________________

33. Describe your proudest moment? _________________________________________________________________________

34. Did you have children? How many? What did you name them? _______________________________________

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35. How did you choose your children’s names? _____________________________________________________________

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36. Do you have any famous or infamous relatives? ________________________________________________________

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37. What occupation do you have? _____________________________________________________________________________

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38. What makes you happy? ____________________________________________________________________________________

39. If you could relive one moment, which one would you choose? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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40. What is the secret to life?

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Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Date: _______________________________

Additional Resources

Conducting Oral History Interviews with Family Members – UCLA Library

What’s Your Story? Conducting Interviews for Genealogical Research – New York Public Library

50 Interview Questions to Ask Your Relatives about Family History – The Thought Company

Finding Your Revolutionary War Ancestor – Family Search Wiki

Planning a Genealogy Trip? Grab This Checklist from Thomas MacEntee