Founder Information Collection
 

Hello,

I am starting history research on my local sorority, Delta Rho Delta. I am in the process of contacting sisters dating back to 1935.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and I am wondering if anyone else out there has researched their own sorority history.

Where did you start?
What questions did you ask the founders?

I don't want to overwhelm an older sister. What is the best way to go about it?

Thanks for any help.
Milissa
Delta Rho Delta, pledged 97

To make it easy, you may just want to target one or two key alumnae from each decade.

If you can meet in person, you might start by just asking her to lunch or for tea. From my experience, older folks tend to like things mid-day, rather than at night. I wouldn't prepare a list of questions, maybe just ask her what she remembers from her college and sorority days--and then see if she has questions.

If your plan is to reach out by phone, you might send a letter first and explain the project, and state that you will be contacting them by phone in the next few weeks, that way they can be prepared for your call or tell you if the time is not right (possibly for health reasons). Then, make sure you follow up by the time you say you will.

Good luck!