Questions

Have you ever wanted to know what your mother was like as a child? Where your grandfather was from? Or, how your parents met?

Below are some questions to ask your parents or grandparents to learn more about their life stories and your family history.

As a Our Family Video producer, I can ask over 100 questions in an interview, so be sure to add your own to the list. And don't forget to ask follow-up questions!

Best Questions

• Can you tell me about a person that has been kindest to you in your life?
• Can you tell me about one of your happiest memories?
• Can you tell me about one of your most difficult memories?
• Can you tell me about someone you’ll always remember?
• Can you tell me about someone you’ll always remember?
• What do you feel most grateful for in your life?
•     What lessons did that person teach you
• What do you feel most grateful for in your life?
• What is your favourite memory of me?
• What are you proudest of in your life?
• Can you remember a time in your life when you felt most alone?
• If you could hold onto one memory from your life forever, which would it be?
• How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?
• How would you like to be remembered?
• Do you have any regrets?
• If you were to die suddenly this evening, what would you regret not having done?
• Why haven’t you done it?
• When was the last time you cried and why?
• What does your future hold?
• What are your hopes for me?
•     For my children?
• If this was to be our very last conversation, is there anything you’d want to say to me?
• For future generations of your family watching this in years from now, is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them?
•     What would you want them to know?
• Is there anything that you’ve not me but want to tell me now?
• Are there things about me that you’ve always wanted to know but have never asked?
• Turn the tables: Tell the person you’re interviewing what they’ve meant to you.

Parents

• Can you tell me the story of how you met mum/dad?
• Do you remember when you realised you wanted to be together for good?
• Can you tell me the story of when you first saw me?
• What was I like as a baby?
• As a child?
•     Do you remember a time when I made you angry?
• How has being a parent changed you?
• What were you most surprised by?
• Do you remember any of the songs you used to sing to me?
•     Can you sing them now?
• What were the hardest moments when I was growing up?
• If you could do everything again, would you raise me differently?
• What advice would you give me about raising my children?
• What are your dreams for me?
• Are you proud of me?

Grandparents

• What is the worst thing that my mum/dad/parent ever did?
• Who were your parents and can you tell me about them?
• Who were your grandparents and can you tell me about them?
• How did you and grandmother/grandfather meet?
• What was my mum/dad/parent like growing up?

Family Heritage

• Where is your mother's family from?
• Where is your father's family from?
• You’re grandparent's families?
• What do you know about them?
• Are there any traditions that have been passed down in your family?
•     Can you tell me about them?
• Who were your favourite relatives?
•     Can you describe what they looked like?
•     Do you remember any of the stories they used to tell you?
• Do you know any classic family stories?
•     Jokes?
•     Songs?

Growing Up & School

• Can you tell me about where you grew up?
•     What was it like?
• Did you have a nickname, and if so can you tell me the story of how you got it?
• Can you tell me about your relationship with your parents?
•     Do you remember a time when you felt particularly close to either one of them?
•     Do you remember a time when you made them angry?
• Are there any funny stories your family tells about you that come to mind?
• What was the worst things you ever did as a child?
• Tell me about your brother/sister?
•     How would you describe them?
• Can you tell me one of your happiest childhood memories?
• Can you tell me one of your worst childhood memories?
• Are there any childhood friends you want to tell me about?
• What did you think your life would be like when you were older?
•     Has your life turned out differently than you imagined?
• Do you have any other favourite stories from your childhood?
• Were there any teachers who had a particularly strong influence on your life?
•     Can you tell me about them?

Love & Relationships

• Who was the love of your life?
•     Can you tell me about him/her?
• Can you tell me the story of when you first fell in love?
•     Do you remember a moment when it started to feel serious?
• Can you tell me the story of your first kiss?
• Can you tell me about any lessons you’ve learned from your relationships?
•     Do you have any wisdoms to pass on about love?
• How did you meet your spouse/partner?
• What do you love most about him/her?
• Was there a moment when you knew he/she was ‘the one’?
• How did you propose?
• Can you tell me about some of your happiest moments together?
•     Most difficult moments?
• Do you have any favourite stories from your marriage or about your spouse/partner?

Working

• Can you tell me about what you do (did) you do for a living?
• Can you tell me about how you ended up in your line of work?
• Do (did) you like your job?
• What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
• Are there any lessons your work life has taught you?
• If you could do anything for work, what would you do?
•     Why?
• Do you have any favourite stories from your work life?
• Can you describe a time when you felt especially satisfied with your job?

Religion & Spirituality

• Can you tell me about what role religion played in your life when you were growing up?
• What kind of role does religion or spirituality play in your life now?
•     What does it mean to you?
• Did you ever have a profound spiritual moment in your life?
•     Can you tell me about it?
• Can you tell me your thoughts about God?
• Are there important lessons that your religious/spiritual life have taught you?
•     Can you tell me about them?
• How do you imagine God?

Serious Illness

• What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
• How has your life been different than what you imagined?
• What are you proudest of in your life?
• How has your illness change your or your attitude towards life?
• Do you think about dying?
•     How does it make you feel to think about it?
• How do you imagine your death?
• Do you regret anything?
• Is there anything about death that you want to talk about that we/you haven’t talked about before?
• What are some of the most important things you have learned from life?
• How do you want to be remembered?

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