Interviewing members of your family may help you gather information about your ancestors. It's a good idea to start with the oldest members of your family and work forward. People may remember important details or have family heirlooms, records, or photos that can help you. We recommend recording the interview.
These questions can help you get started:
- Who were the oldest members of your family that you knew personally?
- Do you know their whole names? Birthdates?
- Did your parents talk about any of their ancestors when you were growing up?
- Did anyone who wasn't related to you live with you when you were a child?
- Where did you grow up?
- For how long did your family live in the area(s)?
- How many siblings did you have? What were their names and ages?
- What were your siblings like?
- Did other family members live in the area? If so, who?
- Did you live on a farm? If so, what kind of crops did you grow?
- Did you keep livestock or other animals?
- Did you have any pets?
- What was your house or apartment like? How many rooms were in it?
- What kinds of amenities did your home have? (indoor plumbing, electricity or gas, phone, television)
- Do any items or rooms from the house stand out in your mind as favorites?
- What was your neighborhood like?
- Did your town have a railroad? A post office? Stores?
- What was your family's religious affiliation?
- Where did you go to church?
- What religious ceremonies did you take part in?
- Did you have godparents or sponsors?
- Where did you go to school?
- What level of education do you have?
- What was your favorite subject in school?
- Did you have any special interests when you were growing up?
- What kind of games did you play?
- What was your favorite toy?
- What did you do for fun?
- Did your family ever take trips or go on vacations?
- Do you speak any foreign languages?
- Did you have family reunions?
- Who were your friends when you were growing up?
- Can you tell me about some close friends of the family?
- Can you describe the personalities of your family members?
- Are there any physical characteristics that run in your family?
- Were there any illnesses in your family?
- Do any illnesses run in the family?
- Did your family have any traditions?
- Can you remember any stories that were told to you as a child (fictional, folklore, or real life)?
- What events stand out to you from your childhood?
- What inventions or developments changed your life, and how?
- What were your parents’ occupations?
- Where did your parents work?
- Did you work? Where?
- Did anyone in your family serve in the military?
- Did anyone in your family hold a public office?
- Did anyone in your family play a musical instrument?
- What was your favorite song?
- What were your family's favorite meals? Are there any special family recipes?
- Did you eat or avoid eating some foods on certain occasions?
- Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper?
- What kinds of organizations did your family belong to?
- What special skills do you have?
- How did you choose your profession?
- When did you move away from home?
- Have you ever been married? If so, to whom? When?
- (If partnered) Where did you meet your spouse or partner?
- What qualities drew you to them?
- Did you exchange any special gifts?
- (If married) How long did you date before getting married?
- Where did you get married?
- Who participated in your wedding?
- Did you have a reception? Was there music? Which songs were played?
- Do you have a copy of your wedding invitation?
- Was there an announcement in the newspaper? Which paper?
- How many children do you have?
- How many are still living?
- What stories did you tell your children when they were growing up?
