Let the speaker set boundaries
Explain the project and audience. Ask separately about recording and publication. Offer a private option for passages. Family membership does not grant access to every part of someone’s life.
Ask about decisions
Questions about a move, friendship, job or routine can reveal how choices were made. Let the account unfold before asking for precise dates. Note uncertainty without interrupting every approximate memory.
Preserve the voice
Retain an original transcript and a separate edited version. Ask the speaker to review names and sharing restrictions. Do not silently replace her wording with a more convenient family narrative.
Further reading
For source material and collection context, visit Library of Congress: collections. Check the collection’s own scope and access instructions before relying on it.