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You do not need to know how to write a perfect family history. The best first contribution is something small that only you know.

• Add one memory to Personal Memories.
• Add one family story to Stories.
• Add one photo to Photos.
• Help identify people in Unidentified Photos.
• Add a favorite dish to Recipes.
• Add a relative to People to Interview.
• Ask someone the questions on Interview Questions.
• Add a correction or missing detail to Corrections or Additions.

Answer one of these:

• What is one thing you remember about your parents or grandparents?
• What family recipe should not be lost?
• Who in the family told the best stories?
• What house, church, school, cemetery, farm, or town should younger relatives know about?
• What old photo do you have that needs names added?

1. Open Interview Questions.
2. Ask one question at a time.
3. Write down names, places, and approximate dates.
4. Do not worry about spelling or exact dates while they are talking.
5. Add the memory to the closest page, or put a note in Additions for someone else to organize later.

Incomplete information is welcome. Use phrases like:

• “I think…”
• “About 1950…”
• “Needs confirmation…”
• “Told by…”
• “Someone else may remember this differently…”

See also how to contribute, Privacy Note, and How to Upload Photos from a Phone.