Researching Your Family History with Interviews and Records

Registration is recommended:

Join Robert Cox from the Mountain View Historical Association for an engaging presentation on exploring your family history. He will discuss the importance of conducting interviews, offer practical tips for doing them effectively, and explain what information they can and can't provide. You'll also learn how to work with key U.S. historical documents—such as census records, military files, and immigration paperwork—and gain an introduction to the challenges of using records from other countries. Additional sources like graveyards, newspapers, obituaries, and online databases will also be covered to help broaden your search. This program is ideal for adults interested in tracing their roots and uncovering personal connections to the past.

About the Presenter: Robert Cox was a project lead, Intel Compilers and Languages, Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA, but retired in October 2024 to devote himself to community activities. He holds a PhD in Systems Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Robert served on the Mountain View Planning Commission from 2013-2020. Since 2023 Robert has continued his service to our city as an appointed member of the Rental Housing Committee. He the Chair of the Old Mountain View Neighborhood Association and served as Vice Chair from 2011 to 2024. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of Livable Mountain View. Robert writes two genealogy columns for the MVHA Newsletter and organizes the Neighborhood Social Outreach for MVHA.