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Vs Ways To Conduct Oral Interviews
By MIRIAM WEINER
`Ask your father and he will
declare to you, your elders
and they will tell you."
—Deut. 32:7
Is it too late to interview an
immigrant member of your family?
For many of us, a portion of our
family history has been lost because
we waited too long to ask questions
about the past and to record the
memories of our relatives on tape.
The first step in researching
Jewish roots is to sit down with the
oldest members of the family, even
distant relatives, and ask them to
share their memories with you. By
preserving this information on tape,
there is less chance for error and
misunderstanding in the future.
Try to avoid an interview which
resembles an interrogation format of
question/answer only. What you are
striving for is a comfortable setting,
minimal noise and distractions with
a general outline of your questions.
For the reluctant relative who
says "I don't remember" or "who
cares about all that — it happened
so long ago," remind them that
each family history is unique and
forms part of the Jewish heritage
which is passed from generation to
generation.
The following list of questions is
meant as a guide. Obviously, the
answers you receive will lead to
additional questions.
• Was our name changed? If so
what was the original name?
• Do you know the origin of the
name?
• What is your Hebrew name?
Whom were you named after and
how are you related to that person?
• What towns did your family
come from in Europe? Where were
those towns located?
• In what other nearby towns
did you have family members?
• Who was the first ancestor in
your family to immigrate from the
"old country?" When did he come?
• When your ancestor came to
this country, did he/she travel with
other relatives? Who were they?
• Who received your relative
when he first immigrated and did he
join a landsmanshaftn society?
• What was the name of the
ship and port of entry?
• Was your immigrant ancestor
naturalized? If so, in what court and
when?
• Do you have any old family
documents or old photos?
• What are some of your early
childhood memories?
L-8 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1989
• What were the family
occupations — here and in the "old
country?"
• Were any family members in
the military armed forces, either
here or in the old country?
• Were there any special family
traditions, recipes, heirlooms which
were handed down through the
years?
• What were the names and
relationships of family members who
perished during the Holocaust?
• What contact continued with
the "old country?" Did you receive
letters from relatives who remained
in Europe? Were those letters
saved?
• Do you know of any (distant)
cousins who immigrated to the
United States, Canada, South
America, England, France, Australia,
South Africa and Palestine/Israel
before and after World Wars I and
II? Do you have names and
addresses of relatives who continue
to live in Europe?
• Is there a "cousins" club or
family circle in existence for your
family?
• Do you know of any relatives
who have recorded the family
history? Has anyone published a
history of the family?
It helps to begin sentences with
"tell me about ..." which will invite
a narrative answer rather than just
names and dates. During an oral
history interview, you could ask the
subject to show you family pictures
and documents. Usually, it will
inspire stories about various
individuals. Bring your family photos
to the interview for the same
purpose. This is a good time to
identify the people in the photos,
noting name and relationship on the
back of the photo.
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"Remember the days of old,
consider the many years of
many generations!
—Deut. 32-17
Miriam Weiner, a certified
genealogist, has prepared a
beginner's guide on how to
research family history that includes
charts, list of archives and libraries,
biblography, maps, family group
sheets and more. She can be
contacted at 136 Sandpiper Key,
Secaucus, N.J. 07094.
Nitzavim And Vayelech
Sidrah Nitzavim continues with
Moses' third farewell address to the
Jewish people. Moses points out
that all of Israel is gathered together
for the completion of their covenant
with God. This is a promise that is
not only binding for the people who
were there, but for all generations of
Israel.
1. What is a covenant?
2. Why do you think it was possible
for these people to make a
promise not only for themselves,
but for people in the future?
3. Have you ever made a promise
for someone else? What
happened?
Sidrah VaYelech tells of the
appointment of Joshua by Moses to
be his successor as leader of the
people Israel.
1. Think back about the years of
Moses' leadership of Israel. Was
he a "good leader?" What makes
a good leader?
2. Who do you think of when think
of a good leader?
Submitted by
Harlene Winnick Applebaum
Coordinator, Jewish
Experiences For Families
Apples And Honey Answers
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