One of the things genealogists regret the most is that they didn’t get to ask questions of the older generations in the family. By the time they’ve passed away, it’s too late and often a lot of knowledge about the life lived in the family disappears along with the deceased.
--Annonse--
Church books and censuses only provide a limited insight into your family’s history, but by interviewing your relatives you can gain an even better understanding of your ancestors. Slekt1 has compiled this overview of 100 questions you can ask your relatives to find out more about their lives.
65 questions
- When and where were you born?
- When and where were you baptized?
- Did you have any illnesses as a child?
- What were you like as a child?
- What were your parents’ names and when and where were they born and died?
- What did your parents do for a living?
- Was your upbringing characterized by religion?
- How do you remember them as people?
- Have you inherited any manners from your parents?
- Where have you lived?
- What was/is the full name of your siblings?
- When were your siblings born (and when did they die)?
- What is your earliest memory?
- Which schools did you attend?
- Did you like school?
- Which subject(s) did you like best?
- Did you and your family go on vacation when you were little (if so, where)?
- Were you good at any particular sports?
- What was everyday life like when you weren’t at school?
- What did you dream of being when you were little?
- Did you have many responsibilities as a child?
- What was your first job?
- What other jobs have you had?
- If you could choose a profession again, what would it be?
- How long were the working days?
- Have you been in the military?
- Are there any fashion trends you chose to follow?
- Would you call yourself an introvert or extrovert?
- How did you meet your husband/wife?
- Did you come from the same area?
- What made you fall for him/her?
- How long did it take from the time you met until you got married?
- Did you get along well with your in-laws?
- What were they working on?
- Did you go on your honeymoon (if so, where)?
- How did you decide what to name your child?
- What were your children’s names and when and where were they born?
- Are there any events from your life that you remember particularly well?
- Do you remember your grandparents?
- What were your grandparents’ full names, birth dates and death dates?
- Are there any experiences you remember particularly well from your grandparents.
- Did you experience your own great-grandparents?
- What were your great-grandparents’ full names, dates of birth and dates of death?
- What do you remember about them?
- Are there any recipes/dishes that have been passed down through the family?
- Are there any legends or other special stories about previous relatives that have been passed down?
- Have you been hospitalized (if so, why)?
- Have you ever had surgery?
- What diseases/disorders do you know that your relatives have had?
- Do you know of any appearance traits that run in the family?
- What technological advances that have come about in your lifetime have had the biggest impact on your life?
- What societal changes do you remember when you look back on your life and experiences?
- What tough choices have you had to make in your life?
- What hobbies do you have (had)?
- What other activities have you filled your free time with?
- Do you have photos of older relatives?
- Have you had pets?
- Which countries have you visited?
- Which countries do you wish you had visited?
- Do you know the origin of your family name?
- Which memories would you say are your best?
- Which memories would you say are your worst?
- Is there anything you’re particularly proud of?
- Is there any advice you would like to pass on to posterity?
- Is there anything you’d like to tell me that I haven’t asked?
These 65 questions can, in turn, lead to 2-3 times as many questions, once you get started with the interview and presumably the good conversation.
