Who is the ideal candidate for a StoryKeeper to interview?
People of all ages, married or single, with or without children . . . because there will always be someone interested in what they have to say . . . and why not record your knowledge of ancestry and life experiences up to now, then add on to it 10 years from now?

Can you audio record a person with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease?
Yes, and their present capacity for remembering will determine what we ask. We will schedule a special preliminary meeting with you via telephone to discuss exactly what you hope to accomplish. Depending on how advanced their illness is, we will attempt to retrieve memories from all chapters of life or just the certain few memories they are capable of sharing. We will do everything possible to preserve their voice.

How long do the audio recordings normally take?
We schedule the audio recordings in 2-hour sessions, unless special arrangements are made due to hindering health conditions and so forth. Most storytellers who are in fair to excellent health, regardless of age, manage a 2-hour session with ease, and in most cases want to continue due to the level of enjoyment reminiscing.

Where do the recordings take place?
It is best if the recordings take place in the "storyteller's" own residence . . . perhaps right in the living room or at the kitchen table. It is imperative that he or she is relaxed and as comfortable as possible. We normally have the storyteller sit in his or her favorite (easy) chair, regardless of whether it is a squeaky old rocker or recliner. These sounds will help to capture the true personality of this person.

What kind of equipment is involved?
There are no fancy lights or cameras to worry deal with, just a simple handheld digital audio recorder that we operate, and perhaps a cup of coffee or glass of water. This is the advantage of audio over video . . . nothing to intimidate or distract the storyteller as they speak candidly about their life experiences. No need to worry about how their hair looks or which way they should face or cross their legs. The mystique of only hearing a voice telling the stories of yesteryear while viewing photographs of that time period is far more affective and desirable than watching the same person's face on video for 2 hours or more. The stops and starts when using only audio are far simpler than video, do not call for more than one person to operate, and keeps costs to a minimum. Photo albums now suddenly come to life.

What if the storyteller is shy or intimidated by interview type situations?
In many cases, if the recording is conducted locally, the StoryKeeper will make a special "Get to know" visit prior to the scheduled recording date so that a friendly, trusting rapport can be established in advance. We'll sit and talk for a while, and explain how simple and casual it will be, showing how our little recorder works and so forth. We'll also use this time to choose our sitting area for "recording day". Our goal on recording day is to capture in audio as much conversation as possible during the scheduled time period.

How do I go about introducing this idea to an elderly loved one?
Our elderly loved ones are part of a proud generation possessing great humility, and they honestly do not realize how much they are admired by the generations that followed them. Most will lead you to believe that they have lived uneventful, ordinary lives, and will insist that they have nothing to say. They will often think of the idea as egotistical, so it is up to you to make them understand that you are not asking them to brag about their accomplishments and expect them to talk about things that compare to the accomplishments of world leaders or famous inventors either. They need to know that they will be making a significant contribution to their family heritage by sharing things like knowledge of ancestry and true life experiences, wisdom and advice that only they can provide. And that this historical and helpful information (and their voice) will be shared and passed down to children, grandchildren and future generations so they can have a true understanding of their roots and how their family came to be. The emphasis must be on he or she giving their family the gift of family history and heritage, not you giving them this gift of telling stories. There's a huge difference here. If you still meet great resistance, let them know that they indeed have plenty to tell by asking a few simple questions like "Where did your grandparents come from?", "What did your parents do for work?", "Who was your biggest inspiration?" It will be impossible to deny having something to share. And assure them that their personal StoryKeeper will be asking these same, simple types of questions about their life experiences on "Game day".

Can you record a person long distance?
Yes, recordings can be conducted over the telephone. The down side is that we are not able to read the facial expressions and react to them as easily, which can hinder us a bit in ways, but our goal remains the same. We record as much information as we can, to the best of our ability in the amount of time allotted, and we've yet to disappoint. We can still provide our preliminary "Get to know" visit (over the phone) and help the storyteller feel at ease with us, even though never meeting in person.

Would you consider traveling outside your area to conduct a recording?
Yes, for certain! Presently, we'll travel by car throughout south Florida, but we are willing to travel further distances by car or by air if our travel expenses are covered by the family of the storyteller. Our long term goal is to expand across all of America.

Can you incorporate photos into this compilation of audio recordings?
Yes, we can provide you with a "Ken Burns" style photo slideshow CD that displays family photographs on-screen as the storyteller describes his or her life experiences from yesteryear and shares wisdom and fascinating life stories.

How do you charge for your services?
Our prices vary depending on the storyteller and location, but priced affordably for all families, as you will discover when you contact us. Group discounts also available. 

How do we get started?
First, using the methods as described above, approach the loved one you intend to have interviewed and recorded and let them know how important it is to you and your family that they take advantage of this unique opportunity to share their life stories and experiences, knowledge of ancestry, etc. Once they agree to participate, simply contact us online or call (941)743-0030 to make arrangements. We're here for you.