Some Family History questions that can be included under each area are:
Family …
- How did your parents first meet each other?
- What did your Mother and Father do for a living?
- What religion were they?
- Was religion actively practiced in your home? If so, how?
- What were your Mother’s and Father’s political beliefs? Did they vary? Did it cause arguments?
- What, if any, political organizations or activities were they involved in?
- Did you regularly have contact with other relatives while growing up? If so, who?
- What were your Grandparents’ Names?
- What did your Grandparents do for a living?
- Where did your Grandparents live?
- What do you remember about your Grandparents?
- Did you hear any stories/yarns about earlier ancestors whom you never knew?
- Was your family poor, well-off, or rich?
- Do you remember any times when money was scarce?
- Do you remember having to do without things you wanted or needed?
- Were there family activities? If so what?
- What did you do for Christmas, for Birthdays or for other Special Occasions?
- Were there any favorite foods or recipes your mother or father cooked? Do you still cook them today?
Childhood …
- What is the date of your Birth?
- What was the location of your Birth?
- What is the first thing you remember?
- Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are you the youngest? Oldest?
- Can you remember what each of your brothers and sisters was like?
- Were you close to any of them? If so, who? Why?
- Describe the house you grew up in. Describe your room and the yard where you played.
- Did you have any chores as a child? If so, what?
- What were our brothers and sisters’ chores? How did the chores break down by gender?
- Describe the Street/Area you grew up in.
- Describe your neighborhood or town.
Teenage Years …
- Do you cook and if so, who taught you?
- Did you like school? What did you like or dislike about it? What was your favorite subject?
- Did you have any hobbies?
- What did you and your friends do when you hung out?
- Did you have an ambition or know what you wanted to be when you grew up?
- Did you have a part-time job? If so, what was it?
Adulthood …
- How/Where/When did you meet your partner?
- What was your wedding day like?
- Can you remember the days your children were born? Describe them for me!
- Have you had more than one job? What were they? Which was your favorite?
- When did you retire?
- What do you do now that you are not working?
Miscellaneous …
- Who are some of your heroes?
- What teams do you follow?
- What type of Music do you like? Who is your favorite artist? What is your favorite song?
- Have you got to travel a lot? What was your favorite place
- Did you serve in the military? If so, would you mind telling me about your experiences?
- What haven’t we talked about that you’d like to discuss in the time we have left?
