Frequently Asked Questions
What is personal history?
Personal history is the preservation of a person’s life story, memoirs, or life values in printed form or on audiotape, videotape, CD or DVD.
How does personal history differ from genealogy?
A personal historian records a person’s life stories and experiences, whereas genealogists research and record a person’s descent from his or her ancestors.
What’s the purpose? Why would anyone be interested in my life story?
Every person’s life is interesting. Wouldn’t you like to know what your great-grandparents’ lives were really like—in their own words? No matter how ordinary you might think your life is, it’s extraordinary to your descendants and to future researchers.
What if I can’t think of any stories to tell?
I can help you. I have hundreds of questions that I can ask. And once you start focusing on a particular time or event, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much you can remember.
What if there are some things I don’t want to talk about?
Leave them out. No one will force you to say anything. However, it sometimes helps to review painful periods and realize how you survived them. This can be especially valuable to future readers when they are going through dark times.
Where and how is the interview done? Is anyone else there?
The interviews are usually recorded at your home in a quiet, comfortable room. I also prefer to scan your photographs in your home, so they never leave your possession.
How long does it take to do the interviews?
Recording a person’s life story can average from a few hours to 10 or 20 hours, depending on the narrator’s memories and desire to share them. Sessions last from one to three hours each, depending on your energy and comfort, and are spread over days or weeks.
How long does it take to complete the project?
It varies according to the scope of the project. Interviews on audiotape can be completed in a matter of weeks. To produce a video, CD or DVD, or to turn the recordings into a book may require six months or more to finish. It depends on how much material is involved and the amount of time you have available to spend on any aspect of the project.
What’s the final product? How do I know which one to choose?
The result could be a set of audiotapes, a book, an ethical will, a film or videotape, a CD or a DVD. Each choice has its own benefits and price range. I can help you decide which products might suit your needs.
What is an ethical will?
An ethical will is a document written to your loved ones and provides a way to express your spiritual legacy, your values, hopes, life's lessons, forgiveness and love to your family, friends, and community. It may be written at a significant point in your life or as part of your estate plan.
How much does a personal history cost?
Prices vary widely, depending upon the length of the interviews, the services you need and the end result you want. They may range from several hundred dollars to many thousands for a complex biography, a large family or company history, or an intricate video production. A personal history project can be crafted to fit your budget. Often several family members who believe in the importance of preserving their family’s legacy can share the cost.
What is the process for making a book about my life?
First, I will talk with you to develop an outline of what you want to cover. Then I’ll record a one or a series of audio or video interviews with you. The material will be organized and edited, giving you a chance to review, change and approve each part. After photographs and other memorabilia are included, your manuscript will be designed in book form, then printed and bound.
I’d like a book for my family, but I only want a few copies.
High-end digital printing equipment is now widely available, and the digital process makes it possible for you to print just a few copies of your book. I can help you find a reputable publisher who will meet your needs, and I can oversee the printing process for you. Your book can be published with either a hard cover or a soft cover.
If a book is printed on archival paper and the pages are bound properly, and if it is handled and stored properly, a book can last a hundred years or more.
What are some advantages of creating a DVD?
Video captures the subject in action, telling his/her life story in his/her own voice, showing facial expressions and gestures. Future generations can see the people and objects that are most important to the subject, as well as his/her favorite places and activities. Video production can be simple or complex, depending on the client’s desires. It may include music, sound effects, titles, or interviews with other family members.
How long will CDs and DVDs last?
We don’t know the answer. We do know that the life span of audio tape and video tape is limited, because the tapes can disintegrate. At this time, CDs and DVDs are the best available storage medium for recorded interviews—provided they are properly handled and stored.
Can I write my memoir myself?
Yes, you can, and there are many books and classes to help you do it. Yet most people never get around to doing it on their own. They need the motivation, structure, prompting, and encouragement that a professional personal historian can provide.
Where can I find good books on memoir writing?
Search the Internet or your local library for the key words: Family History, Writing Your Autobiography, Writing Your Memoirs, etc. You’ll find many books available to help you. I’ve included some book suggestions on the Resources page of this web site.
I suggest that you start by talking into a tape or digital recorder. For most people, talking is easier than writing. Let me know if you’d like my help recording what you say.