Start at Home
Finding hidden family clues in your attic, closets, and living room.
Before you ever open a digital database, your own home holds the first, most important clues. This lesson helps you take inventory of what's already sitting on your shelves.
The Home Treasure Hunt
- ✦ The Family Bible Historically used to record family births, marriages, and deaths long before official government vital statistics were kept.
- ● The Back of Old Photos Search for handwritten penciled names, dates, or photographer studio stamps that reveal cities and timeframes.
- □ Unusual Documents Old report cards, funeral programs, military discharge papers, citizenship certificates, and old land deeds.
- ◇ The “Sensory” Clues Look closely at family quilts, samplers, or engraved heirloom jewelry that carry initials or ancestral craftsmanship.
Oral History: The Relatives Interview
Living memories vanish if they aren't actively recorded. A short, well-planned conversation with a relative today can preserve details no document will ever capture.
Keep interviews short — under 45 minutes — to avoid fatigue. Use a smartphone or tablet voice memo app to record the conversation safely.
Open-Ended Questions to Ask
What do you remember about your grandparents' house?
What did your parents do for a living during the war?
How did our family end up living in this town?
GUIDE
Lesson Resource
Your Free Family Interview Cheat Sheet
Get our printable one-page guide featuring 20 memory-jogging questions to bring to your next family visit, holiday gathering, or phone call.
Essential Preservation & Recording Supplies
Using the right physical tools protects delicate history for the next generation.
Archival Supplies
Archival-Safe Storage & Cotton Gloves
Protect fragile old papers and delicate family photos from damaging fingerprints and acid degradation.
View on AmazonAudio Recording Gear
Senior-Friendly Digital Voice Recorder
A simple, dedicated audio recorder with large, physical buttons for those who prefer an alternative to smartphone apps.
View on Amazon