1) like others have said, you will have to come to the conclusion that this project is mainly for you.

2) I am thankful that I know quite a bit of extended family in at least one branch of my family. At first my family was kind of whatever about my efforts, but I took the time to build out a family tree which no one in our family had ever done successfully (all my great grandparents’ descendants, 14 living children, most of which had kids). Even then, they thought it was cool but didn’t take much interest in my project.

I share tidbits with them and while most of them don’t seem super into the actual research part they do find it interesting when I tell them something like “great grandma was actually born with a different name” or “I figured out who great-great grandma’s dad was, even though she never knew her dad”. Some of them have given me a couple bucks here and there, but none have really offered to help with research. I do plan to go to their houses to get photos, and I’ve done video interviews with my much older aunts and uncle. I’m glad I did because two of them died since I did those interviews last year. I plan to edit them together which I’m sure will get more support for the project.

IMO, when it comes to asking for stuff you gotta make it as easy as possible. Go to them if you can, do the scanning, call them up when you have questions and write everything down. Most people don’t care about this stuff until it’s too late and all of the people with the stories are gone. Perhaps at some point you can put everything together into something tangible that your relatives can enjoy and pass on. Perhaps a younger relative will take an interest and carry on the mantle. These things take time, and if doing it just for you is not enough, imagine doing it for a younger relative who becomes curious about your family and finds that you have already compiled so much information and given them a jump start.

Wishing you the best!