There’s nothing quite like listening to the voices of your grandparents or parents telling their own story. You and your family have much to gain by listening to your ancestors where you can. But before you begin recording a relative’s precious words, it’s very important to come prepared.
Genealogy has been a passion of mind since childhood. It is hard to believe it has been four decades since I first asked my grandmother about a tintype photo of her father. From her stories I was hooked into the exciting world of family history. I became the nosey nephew at family gatherings, always asking questions and seeking old photographs or documents. Many relatives would get bored with my questions, however a handful of my older cousins encouraged my research. By the time I was twelve years old I had already typed my first thirteen page genealogy book (on file at NEHGS).