Subject: MY very own RECOLLECTIONS - Extra Credit! 101/100 B G. The questions within this recollection package could very well be used for INTERVIEWING your elders, not only used for yourself. Should you consider interviewing, I offer these ideas: I would suggest using a video camera.....even if the person is NOT VISIBLE on the video.....use it as a tape recorder.... and if you have any photos or other items discussed in the interview, pass them in front of the lens. I have found that if you cover the flashing red light on the video (electricians tape is best), that 'life is better for you' as you tape....plus, they forget about the camera...by the end of your session, they will likely want you to come back for more 'talking'. Also, have your tapes ready to slide into the machine....all unwrapped, etc. etc. etc. have at least two available and ready to GO. ALWAYS remember to hold the photos in YOUR hand as you discuss photos, then you can control the speed at which they are looked at and you get a chance to 'label' them in some way...have a pencil(s) handy.... I plug in the camera before it ever gets onto the tripod. Then as soon as I have the machine locked in place and I have the area in the viewer, I turn on the machine and begin recording..... the time before the actual interviewing is just as much fun as hearing the questions and as you are setting up you can be talking about what you are going to do.. You can comment on what the date is and where you are.......ask them their address and how long they have been there, etc.....instead of breaking the bubble with the formal introduction.....and then trying to recapture the moment... just sit down and start asking questions.... they will be eased into the interview this way but they will ask if the camera is on and just tell them "oh yes" and go on with your questions.... Have a question in mind for when this happens - because it will! Your job as the interviewer is to keep the questions going....and knowing when to add to your question list on the fly.... YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO THIS, you see it happen on TV all the time... now it is YOUR turn.... If you feel that you need to practice, then interview your spouse...which you should do anyway....or YOURSELF! Never ever say "Okay, now we will start".......just start asking! STAY ORGANIZED...don't mix too many people into the interview. If GRANDMA is said, ALWAYS ask "GRANDMA who? and get the real name.... ALWAYS! DO NOT MISS THIS POINT! Ask about their traveling experiences...and work experiences because this is another indication of area(s) where they might have LIVED and that is where some of your records might be. When you take still photos of these folks remember to label them when you get them back from developing! EACH INTERVIEW should be identified with a date and the person at the beginning and on the label....and others present. If you interview again, use a new tape and ask a few questions over again....make sure that you get the same basic response.... Age is a nasty thing sometimes....If they forget something as they talk, go on to another question and come back to the question again... USE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WORDS IN THE REquestion to trigger new thought process.... Forgetting happens to all of us....that 'it is on the tip of my tongue' usually comes back after another question has been answered..... just format the question a bit differently. DO NOT interview with telephones or radios or tv on and with a bunch of people around. Make it one on one if at all possible. INTERVIEWING at a birthday gathering is not a good thing, although sometimes the questions do happen. Be prepared with the video and take what you can get, but try to revisit one-on-one at another time...IN THEIR FAVORITE CHAIR....or at THEIR kitchen table... their comfort zones....NOT in a FORMAL setting or sterile place..... Try to keep your visit on film to about 2 hours, not longer...make a date inside a two week horizon to revisit. They will want you to come back! 'Cause you are now their newest best FRIEND and visitor....(and, you will WANT to go!) I don't suggest that you give prepared questions to the interviewee ahead of time because the response would be too 'canned". What you want from the interview is the essence, the spontaneity of the answer.....You can, later, give them a family group sheet that you have prepared based on the interviewing that you have done so that they can put in the dates and places and so that they can get some help in doing it...almost like homework.... BUT specific dates on the video, at least in the first one, should not be your biggest reason for the interview... Getting an overview of the family and an overview of the places and environments that they have been in, I think, should be the main emphasis. Probably the most important thing to me is to get the video machine turned on as soon as possible so that the entire preparation time before the exact questioning is on the video...this is what makes this video document so valuable.... and it should not be edited. Do not try to edit as you are filming; it will ruin the effort... Keep this original tape as your master for all time and 'clip' from it if you want to, but keep this as your source document... to be continued in C......