Home > Just for Kids > Oral History > Contacting the person you want to interview

Write a letter to the person you want to interview to introduce yourself, explain your interest in oral history and to invite that person to come talk to you or your class. Here is one sample letter that you could write. The words in italics are other suggestions for what you could write, depending on who you are writing to:

The date

Dear Grandma (OR Uncle Bob OR Mr. Taylor OR Mrs. Schwerdtfeger, etc.):

I�m beginning to put together a history of our family, (OR I am interested in finding out about what life was like in the 1930s, OR I am interested in finding out about what it was like for you to move from Italy to the U.S.) and I would appreciate being spending some time with you to talk about that. I�m interested in what you can remember about my great-grandparents (OR whatever the topic is that you have chosen).

Do you have any old photographs or things that tell about great-grandma�s life? (OR that tell about your life in the 1930s, OR tell about what the move from Italy to America was like?)

I would like to visit you at (the location of your choice; it could be their home or yours, or your classroom, or another place) and would like to talk with you for about an hour. What day and time would be convenient for you? Please let me know, and I will look forward to our visit. Thank you!

Sincerely, (Or love, if it's a family member or friend you care about).

Your name