Aspiring family historians who want to learn how to interview family members and friends can kick-start the process by attending a three-hour seminar on Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m to noon at the MSA Museum (Trethewey House) in Abbotsford.
Participants will identify ethical and legal concerns and effective questioning techniques as well as learn how to prepare for an interview and tackle tough topics. Also included is a discussion on audio recording and transcribing technology. The seminar is co-sponsored by the MSA Museum Society and local writer / editor Philip Sherwood and costs $30.
“We hear of many people who are interested in compiling their family histories, but don’t know how to go about it,” said Kelly Railton, executive director of the MSA Museum Society.
Free parking is available for the event at the museum at 2313 Ware Street. Seating is limited, and advance registration is mandatory. For more information and to register and receive a course outline, contact the museum at 604-853-0313 or by email at info@msamuseum.ca, or visit msamuseum.ca.
Leading the June 27 seminar is Abbotsford writer/editor/personal historian Philip Sherwood, whose company lifewriters.ca specializes in helping individuals, families, organizations, and communities tell and preserve their stories in book form.
The seminar is one of many services that the MSA Museum offers to memoirists, lifewriters, and family historians. These include free information sessions, free one-on-one consultations, a list of do-it-yourself resources, and several fee-based services.