When it comes to interviewing family members, I always recommend talking to absolutely everyone. No exceptions. People often come up to me and say, “I didn't ask the questions until too late, and now everyone who knew anything about the family is gone.” This may be somewhat accurate for some researchers, but I seldom accept this statement as fact. If you have aunts and uncles, siblings, and especially cousins of the same generation as yourself or older, you have to make the effort to locate and talk to them. These relatives may know a lot more than you think and may have heard stories that you haven't heard. They may also have family letters, bibles, labeled photographs, and other materials that can significantly contribute to your research. And maybe, just maybe, you'll make a connection with a family historian in another branch of the family.

Another oversight made by many of us is in failing to talk to in-laws. There is an assumption that they couldn't possibly know anything in-depth about the family and this may be very far from the truth. This week I want to discuss in-laws and what they can contribute to your research. I also want to report on the results of the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) 2004 Excellence in Writing Competition.

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