Eftsona Personal Histories
Interview question guide
A quiet conversation. A few thoughtful questions. A voice worth keeping.
Prepare a comfortable recording
Choose six to eight questions, rather than trying to cover everything. Aim for 20–25 minutes and keep the total source recording within 30 minutes. You record the interview yourself.
- Use a quiet room, silence notifications, and place the recorder close enough for clear speech.
- Record a short test and listen back before the interview.
- Confirm the speaker’s permission and the people who may receive the finished interview privately.
- Ask the speaker’s preferred name and date of recording. Let uncertain dates remain uncertain.
- Pause or stop whenever the speaker wishes. Mark anything they want removed.
Questions to choose from
- Where would you begin if you were telling someone your story?
- What was home like when you were young?
- Which people shaped you most?
- What memory still makes you smile?
- What did you enjoy learning or doing as a child?
- Which turning point changed the direction of your life?
- What brought you to an important home or community?
- How did your working life begin?
- Which part of your work or service meant the most to you?
- What did you learn from a difficult season?
- Which relationship taught you something lasting?
- What family tradition do you hope continues?
- Is there a photograph or object you would like to explain?
- Which achievement matters most to you personally?
- What do you wish people understood about your life?
- Which values have helped guide your decisions?
- What advice would you give your younger self?
- What have you changed your mind about?
- How do you hope your loved ones remember you?
- What would you like to say to the next generation?
- Is there someone you would like to thank?
- What have we not asked that belongs in your story?
- Are any dates or details uncertain?
- Is anything from this conversation private or to be removed?
- Who may receive the finished recording and transcript?
After the conversation
Listen to the recording with the speaker. Agree exclusions and preferred spellings. Keep your original recording. Supply MP3 or M4A files up to 60 MB each through the private project intake, with no more than 30 minutes total.
Some phone recorders export M4A. If your recorder uses another format, export or convert a copy to MP3 or M4A before uploading.
The edited interview and transcript receive their own review and one correction pass. Public sharing requires separate permission.