Interview your relatives NOW
22:59, 19 February 2007
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In 1986, I interviewed my grandfather, James Vernon Cravens (Jack Cravens), regarding his Army service during World War II from 1941 - 1944. "Papaw" served in the Aleutian Islands (Alaska). I recorded our interview on an extra-long cassette tape, transcribed the interview 10 years later, after he died, then researched the places and people he talked about, adding lots of historical notes and maps into the transcription, to further explain the things he talked about. The result was a 32-page document, a fascinating, very personal account of a small-town Kentucky boy serving in a horrific location in WWII. It's one of my dearest treasures. It was personally satisfying to have this important family story preserved, but sharing this information online has provided several people with information they have never been able to find otherwise regarding this campaign. Next, I'll scan photos he took during his 17 months in the Aleutians and also share those online. I interviewed my grandmother years later, also recording her, talking about rural Kentucky life in the depression and the Civil Rights movement, and about her and our family's reactions to various historical events, music and personalities of the day; I'll transcribe that when I'm back from Afghanistan, and probably sharing portions of it online as well. Now, what about YOU?! Today's technology has made it incredibly easy for you to preserve your family's past. Find out a bit about the major events and circumstances of the years they have been alive, then sit down with relatives and ask them about their lives and their reactions to these events and circumstances. Tape it (sometimes, audio is better; video can make people nervous), transcribe it, and share it (or parts of it) online!
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