Questioning relatives calls for interest, finesse, and empathy. 

A Family history book can give living family members a sense of heritage and belonging. It introduces them to the personalities, places, and times of their ancestors, and becomes a treasure for present and future generations. 

It can also become a historic and cultural reference for others.

As valuable as this type of book can be, the process of creating one is, arguably, as important as the finished product. 

Why is that? It’s because the process requires questioning flesh-and-blood family members who have their own opinions and thoughts, good and bad memories, strong feelings and apathies, success stories and regrets. 

These personal factors make doing family interviews tricky. You must choose questions for each interviewee deliberately and carefully, and then decide how and when to ask each. 

Also, when interviewing loved ones, you probably have your own feelings about your family’s past. Setting those feelings aside can be challenging, but the more objectivity you can muster, the better the process. 

An interview, basically, is a conversation in which one person learns about another. A family history interview is normally a discussion that covers a person’s entire life, future aspirations, and hopes for younger relatives. Interviews can be done in person, by phone, Skype, Zoom, or a similar app. 

General Tips for Family History Interviews

Working on a project with family members can be both gratifying and complex. Anyone preparing to interview relatives can use some helpful pointers. Here are a few: 

• Determine the best method for interviewing each person (phone, video chat, in person).
• Get permission to record the interview and use two recording methods to ensure you don’t lose the conversation. (For example, the “record” function on a video chat app plus a small digital voice recorder.) When you record, you’re capturing your loved one’s voice, not just their words. This is valuable both for writing and as an audio keepsake.
• Be sure you’re ready with a list of appropriate questions before the interview.  Send or give your relative the questions beforehand. 
• Ask in advance that they find anything that would help with recall such as photos and albums, family trees, letters, yearbooks, birth certificates, marriage or business licenses, diplomas, old trunks, or musical recordings.
• Help your interviewee get relaxed by ensuring they have comfortable seating, offering them water, and chit-chatting a bit before you begin. If they’re resistant to any question, be prepared to skip it. 
• Begin by verbally identifying the people involved in the interview, the date, and place of recording.
• Be sure your body language is encouraging, make eye contact, and listen respectfully and attentively. 
• Word your questions so that a more in-depth response is required. For example, not only “Which branch of the military did you serve in, in which war?” but “What are some memories that stand out to you from your time in the military?”
• Let silence happen because times of silence following a question can be times of best recall. Don’t feel the need to fill the empty air. 
• Redirect your relative back to the current question gently if they go down too long a verbal “rabbit trail.” But remember that rabbit trails can be interesting!
• Thank your family member for taking the time to contribute to the book-to-be. It’s also good practice to get back in touch soon by phone, text, or email so they can add anything else they’ve remembered.

To Ask or Not to Ask: Sensitive Issues in Family History Research

There are skills involved in doing interviews for a Family History book, and the process requires delicacy. You’re getting into family members’ “business.”

Some of it is pleasant, some is not, and some is so unpleasant interviewees will refuse to “go there.” 

Other family members besides the ones directly involved may also have strong feelings about whether these delicate questions are asked, and their answers included. In some cases, they don’t mind because the “secret” has been out for a long time. In others, they mind very much.

If an interviewee or other family member insists that something not be included in your interview and book, the request must be honored. If it’s still up for discussion, though, there’s nothing wrong with sharing reasons you believe inclusion would help complete the family story.

If a mutual decision is made to include the sensitive issue:

• Be sure when doing interviews that everyone is clear on who will be reading this book. (Just family members, or a wider audience?)
• If you’re at all concerned about repercussions of including the answer to a sensitive question in your book, get the involved family member(s) to sign a consent form.
• Listen thoughtfully and compassionately.
• Seek to understand the historical, cultural, and family context in which the issue happened.
• Ask only as much about that topic as the interviewee, and the family, is comfortable with. 
• Ask only about what is truly important for your story’s continuity.
• Always remember that one important objective of a family history is family unity! Doing anything that works against that unity is counterproductive.

Why hire a professional ghostwriter to do your interviews (and writing)?

It’s possible that the process of interviewing your loved ones will spark wonderful, generation-connecting conversations. 

If, for any reason, though, you don’t feel up to having those conversations, hiring a Professional family history ghostwriter is an excellent option. A ghostwriter’s help can get you a book your family can share and love—sooner. 

This type of professional is equipped with a genuine interest in other families and their stories. They’ve learned some techniques for convincing reluctant family members to participate and shy ones to open up. They can develop the best questions while listening and change directions mid-interview as needed.

An adept family history ghostwriter also demonstrates a helpful objectivity and lack of bias that’s only possible for an “outsider.” This enables them to ask questions more freely, without emotional baggage attached.

Beyond interview skills, there are other good reasons to hire a professional ghostwriter. These professionals know where and how to do necessary research, find helpful documents, and write in the voice of the interviewee.  

And if you’re shooting for a significant date for completion of the book, a ghostwriter can help make that happen. Many ghostwriters have publishing connections, as well.

In short, a professional can expedite and improve the process of making your dream a reality that you, your relatives, and future generations can hold in their hands. The process begins with great interviews.

How and Why to Work with a Genealogist

Did you know that Larry David is actually related to Bernie Sanders? 

If you’ve got an itch to look into your own family’s history, unearthing your roots is an exciting and fascinating project! However, it’s important to recognize that it’s also a complex and challenging endeavor. 

So, while you may be tempted to tackle this project on your own, it’s in your best interest to partner with someone with professional genealogy know-how and expertise. 

Shall we elaborate? 

Finding a High-Quality Professional Genealogist 

Listen, with the internet at everyone’s fingertips, we totally get it if you’re thinking: “Right, so I’ll just go online and research my family history by myself. Piece of cake!”

But as we hinted at above, genealogy is not synonymous with straightforward simplicity. And since becoming a genealogist is more nuanced than, say, becoming a doctor, there are a lot of people labeling themselves professional genealogists.

So how do you ensure you’re partnering with a solid genealogist? 

Check for experience.

A simple internet search will turn up countless genealogists who would be happy to help you research your family history. That’s why it’s essential to take the time to ask about their experience. 

We don’t mean just skimming their resume (although we highly
recommend doing this, as well), we mean having a full conversation
with the genealogist about their previous projects and approach. 

Below are some questions we suggest asking:

1. Can you describe your background and how you got into
genealogy? 

• Do they have a genuine interest in genealogy? 
• Do they have general knowledge of history, geography, and cultural affairs?
• Are they aware of global situations that may impact travel for research?
• Are they aware of how country borders have shifted throughout history?

2. Can you describe your process for a genealogy project? 

• How do they approach a new project?
• Do they have a general process for researching a family’s history?
• How do they go about cross-checking and fact-checking information they find? 

3. What do you do if you can’t verify any of your research? 

• Do they have a process in place? 
• Do they hold onto the information?
• Do they throw away the information?

4. Can you briefly describe some of your previous projects? 

• Can you confirm that they actually utilize their research process? 
• How do they handle research challenges? 

Check for integrity.

Although hard skills in genealogy are crucial for successfully researching your family’s history, working with a top-tier genealogy guru will only get you so far if they also lack integrity. Thus, soft skills play an equally critical role in the research process. 

This might seem a little silly, but uncovering your family history is no small feat—nor is it a fast one. Partnering with a genealogist is exactly that: a partnership. Accordingly, it’s vital to work with a genealogist you can trust. 

For example, one of The Writers For Hire’s professional writers and genealogists Jennifer Rizzo shared an anecdote about a genealogist who was unable to find the information their client was looking for, but was too afraid to be honest about it. A high-quality professional genealogist would be forthright with their client about this research roadblock. 

However, the client was completely unaware until they brought all of their findings to a different genealogist. It was this second genealogist who had to break it to the client that all of the information gathered with the previous genealogist was false. 

To help you get a feel for a professional genealogist’s character and soft skills, we suggest asking the following questions: 

Can you describe your experience working with your clients?

• How do they engage with and treat their clients? 
• How do they communicate with you and share information?
• What are their boundaries?

What do you do if you can’t verify any of your research?

• Will they share the information with you anyway?
• Will they include a disclaimer that it hasn’t been verified? 

Can you share an experience when you weren’t able to verify your research?

• Were they honest and forthcoming about it? 

With these tips, you’re sure to find a strong professional genealogist candidate to help you research your family history. 

The Benefits of Working with a Professional Genealogist 

Picture this: You’re about to enter a building that has one of those heavy and awkward revolving doors you have to push open. 

This is what researching your family history by yourself is like.

You can do it, but it’s kind of a hassle and you might push or go in the wrong direction. 

Now picture this: You’re about to enter a building that has a doorman ready to open and close the door for you.  

This is what working with a professional genealogist on your family history research is like. It’s easier, there’s less heavy lifting, and you’re guided in the right direction. Plus, you usually get a smile! 

In other words, partnering with a professional genealogist opens the door to countless benefits and, ultimately, success. 

Experience and Expertise

Above all else, the reason to hire a genealogist to help you with your family research is their professional expertise and experience in the field!

Furthermore, their capabilities in reading old, hand-written texts present an invaluable advantage—just imagine trying to read a decades-old doctor’s note! Yikes!

As a result, genealogists know how to find, recognize, and utilize clues within records and documents that will help propel their research forward. Similarly, if a genealogist encounters a challenge while researching, their skills and field experience empower them to tackle it head-on. 

And that’s just the tip of the family-tree-shaped iceberg of benefits.

They have a process.

As we alluded to above, a high-quality genealogist will have a process that guides them through their research of your family’s history. While a layperson might hem and haw over where to start, a professional genealogist will help you avoid dawdling and jump right in. 

Additionally, professional genealogists also have a set of tools and practices that they’re familiar with and are confident using throughout a project. These tools and practices might include: 

• Notetaking systems
• Organizational filing systems
• Document naming systems 
• Photo organization systems
• PDF scanners 
• Camera
• Voice recorder
• Project management apps
• Communication apps

But perhaps most important, a high-quality professional genealogist will also have a process for verifying the information they find. And, as we hinted at above, if they’re unable to confirm any part of their research, a strong genealogist will have a system for sharing that information with you, as well.

They have knowledge of resources available for research.

If you were to tackle your family history research on your own, where would you go to look for information? A website like Ancestry.com? 

And where do you think a genealogist would go?  

The thing is, a professional genealogist might turn to any number of places to start their work. 

This is because not only do they have an expansive knowledge of what resources and tools are available to assist their research, but they also possess the know-how to properly utilize them. 

For instance, professional genealogists might find valuable information about your family’s history by looking into: 

• Federal census records
• Ship records 
• State records 
• Military records
• Birth, marriage, and death records
• Medical records
• Property and tax records
• Newspaper archives
• Church records
• School records
• Library archives
• Historical society records
• Court records
• Local history records

Now, this isn’t to say that Ancestry.com isn’t in a professional genealogist’s toolbelt, too. It is—and so are other online databases! In fact, that’s another great benefit of partnering with a genealogist to research your family history: They have memberships to all of those paid services. 

But as you can see, there are a lot of different resources that might provide you with valuable clues and information about your family’s history. It’s actually tracking down and accessing the resources that’s more complicated. 

For one thing, it’s possible that your family’s information is geographically spread all over the place. (Of course, if you’re not interested in traveling, your professional genealogist can do it for you!)

Yet, even if a lot of your family history research can be done on a relatively local level, it doesn’t mean you can automatically access it just because it’s nearby. To elaborate, Rizzo explained that while some facilities allow you to walk right in, others involve prerequisite steps. 

For example, some archives simply require visitors to make an appointment. Alternatively, some libraries require visitors to sign up for a membership prior to using their resources. 

Of course, some organizations implement much stricter protocols. To gain access to one facility’s materials, Rizzo shared how she first had to take a class and pass a quiz to demonstrate her ability to properly use the materials in their archives. Only after passing the quiz could Rizzo set up a special reservation to conduct her research. 

Custom Levels of Support

The great thing about working with a professional genealogist is that they’re there to support you. This means that you have control over the project and can accordingly choose just how involved you want to be with the work—or don’t want to be.

Meaning, if you want someone to take the wheel and do all of your family history research for you, a professional genealogist can drive you where you want to go! 

Or, if you want to ride shotgun and witness the journey, a professional genealogist can get the door for you. 

And if you want to take the wheel but need a copilot in the passenger seat giving you directions, a professional genealogist can help steer you in the right direction. 

It’s really no secret that a professional genealogist is your greatest ally in researching your family’s history! 

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