Start by deciding whose stories you'll capture. Obvious choices: grandparents, great-grandparents, elderly aunts or uncles. Also consider parents (kids often don't know their childhood stories), older siblings, or family friends who've been around forever. Pick 1-2 people for today's session—you can interview more later. Brainstorm questions together as a family. Mix categories: childhood memories ('What games did you play as a kid?'), family traditions ('How did we start celebrating holidays this way?'), historical events they lived through ('What was it like during [war, moon landing, cultural moment]?'), life advice ('What do you wish you knew when you were my age?'), and family legends ('Is the story about Great-Grandpa true?'). Write down 10-15 questions to guide the conversation.

Sit down with your interviewee in a quiet, comfortable spot. Explain what you're doing: 'We're recording family stories to remember forever. I'm going to ask you some questions—just talk naturally!' Set up a phone, tablet, or camera to record video or audio (get permission first). Start with easy warm-up questions ('Where were you born? What was your house like?') to get them talking, then move to deeper ones. Listen actively—don't just read questions robotically. Follow up on interesting answers: 'Wait, you met a president? Tell me more!' Let them ramble and tell tangents—that's where the best stories live. If they get emotional, pause and offer tissue or a break. Keep the session to 30-60 minutes so no one gets exhausted.

After the interview, review the recording together. Listen to highlights and take notes: write down the best stories, surprising facts, or memorable quotes. You don't need to transcribe the whole thing word-for-word (unless you want to), but capture the essence. Create a simple document or journal entry: 'Grandma's Childhood,' then list key points: 'Grew up on a farm in Iowa. Had 7 siblings. Her favorite memory was riding horses. She met Grandpa at a dance in 1952.' Include direct quotes when they're powerful: 'She said, Life was hard, but we were happy.' Organize findings by theme (childhood, marriage, career) or chronologically. Save the recording file in multiple places (cloud, external drive, email to family) so it's never lost.

Now turn your findings into something tangible. Options: a photo book with printed stories and family photos, a video compilation with clips from the interview, a handwritten journal or scrapbook, a family tree poster with stories attached to each person, or a simple PDF document emailed to relatives. Let your child choose the format. Add personal touches: decorate pages, include old family photos, create timelines, or draw illustrations. Make copies for interviewees and other family members. Present it at a family gathering if possible, or mail/email it with a note: 'We recorded Grandma's stories so they'll never be forgotten. Enjoy!' This makes the project feel complete and purposeful.

Wrap up by discussing the experience. Ask your child: 'What surprised you most? What story was your favorite? How do you feel about our family now?' Talk about what they learned: maybe Grandpa was braver than they realized, or Mom had a tough childhood. Celebrate that you've preserved irreplaceable memories before they're lost. Discuss doing more interviews: other relatives, different topics (immigration stories, career journeys, love stories). Make a list of who to interview next and schedule it. Commit to updating your family history annually or whenever major life events happen (births, weddings, retirements). Reinforce that families who know their history feel more connected and resilient.