chapter 5 and other thoughts

The reading of the Hess' "Digital Remembrance" was interesting. It gives some thoughtful insight to having a web site dedicated as a memorial. Normally when thinking about a memorial, it is something tangible or physical, but Hess talks about something that is tangible, but not necessarily physical. One problem though with a memorial web site would be the accessibility for some people especially older people. They might not have access to a computer or know how to find the web site. However, Hess has a great idea that could be used as a way to put up family history and have younger generations want to view and add to the history of the family. A web site would be a great way to involve them. They are so computer oriented that they would be more likely to look at that and also give their input more than if it was presented in other forms.

Chapter 5 provides some helpful information especially in being prepared for interviews and even in putting together family histories. It is definitely best to be prepared with questions to ask and use open ended questions. I think it is more important to be prepared for the unexpected. You never really know how an interview is going to turn out. Try not to start the interview with preconceived ideas because I think it colors the interview. Try starting with a blank slate and really listen. I don't really feel comfortable with taping a family member. It feels more like an interrogation instead of an interview or a visit. I know that it would be a better way to capture all the information given, but I would rather just write furiously to do my best with what is talked about. Sometimes when taped, a person becomes self conscious and won't talk freely. It helps to have someone else with you too at the interview of a family member because you can ask how that person perceived the interview and pick up another perception.

I like the example in chapter 5 of Donna who obtained different variants of a family story from the different family members. I think that is a great idea and I would like to use that on a couple of family stories. What a great way to show that each person has a different perception based on their position in the family and how they remember the past too. I think gathering family stories is a very important part of a family's history. Many of these are oral and haven't been written down, but they should so they can be preserved.

I am finding in my research that I can find statistics, but there is very little else about the people personally. I will have to rely on the people that I can talk to about family stories and their knowledge of family members to put together much of my family project. Interviewing will be crucial to this project and so will the stories.