Make a Video Record of an Elderly Family Member Sharing Memories

Before a parent, grandparent, great aunt, or great uncle gets any older, ask him or her to join you for a videotaped chat. Make it informal and begin with easy questions that can serve as points of departure into his story. When were you born? What town, village, or city? What country? Who were your parents? What kind of work did they do? Then ask open-ended questions. Tell me about your earliest memories? What was life like for you growing up in your town? Ask questions about certain periods in his life such as pre-adolescent, teen, young adult, middle age, and golden years, for example. Long after he has passed away, you can relive those moments and feel joyful that you took the time to make the video.