Record and preserve a family story
Record a family story
Keep the voice as well as the story. Some save files deserve a backup.
Choose your dates and weekly hours in the planner. Your plan saves in this browser.
Who this is for
Someone who wants to keep a person's voice and memories with their knowledge and permission.
Before you begin
Agree on recording, storage and who may hear the conversation. Test a phone or recorder, choose a quiet place and prepare a few open questions.
Your first session
Invite the person and test a short recording together. Ask what they would enjoy talking about and make room for them to decline a topic.
The path in four steps
- Invite someone and agree how to use the recording
- Prepare a few open questions
- Record an unhurried conversation
- Save a private backup and share it with them
Use these as editable milestones. The linked activity source supplies the detailed instructions; adjust your plan as you learn.
What finished looks like
Save the conversation, keep a private backup and share it with the speaker as agreed. Label the file with helpful context while keeping private details protected.
Time, scope and source
CALCULATED WORKLOAD
StoryCorps suggests a 40-minute conversation. We add 50–140 minutes for consent, preparation, setup and saving a copy. Archiving or sharing is optional.
StoryCorps · A 40-minute interviewPlanning notes by RYKA. Source guidance and our practical planning suggestions are distinct. This guide does not claim that a provider endorses the quest.
Helpful resources
Use what you already have where it fits. Resources are optional unless noted.
Optional equipment
Step 4: Save a private backup and share it with them
SanDisk Portable SSD, 1 TB — SDSSDE30-1T00-G26 (earlier model)
With the speaker's permission, keep an additional private copy of the recording and check that it plays.
Consider: This listing is marked as an older model. Check connection, condition, warranty and storage needs. Keep another copy separately, verify that files open, and protect private recordings. A single external drive is not a complete backup plan.
Free or already owned: Use a separate drive you already own or an appropriately private backup service with enough space.
Optional help · Reviewed 2026-10-28
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