Family History Interview Questions

Family History Interview Questions?

So, What Family History Interview Questions Should I Ask Relatives?


Download the Interview Questions
in Printable Format


 

It could be argued that this question and this step could be the most important step of all when starting out on your Family History adventure.

By asking the right questions and obtaining the correct information now, from relatives who were actually there, could possible help prevent you running into brick walls later on in your research.

Please feel free to use the following questions at your leisure.

Their are quite a few questions that can be asked at this stage but these are ones that have worked for me and hopefully they will work for you.

I have broken them up into 5 distinct sections for ease of use.

  1. Their Family
  2. Their Childhood
  3. Their Teenage Years
  4. Their Adulthood
  5. Miscellaneous

Some Family History questions that can be included under each area are:

Their 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 organisations or activities were they involved in?
  • Did you regularly have contact with other relatives while growing up? If so who?
  • What were you 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, rich?
  • Do you remember any times when money was scarce?
  • Do you remember having to do without things you wanted or needed?
  • Was there family activities? If so what?
  • What did you do for Christmas, for Birthdays or for other Special Occasions?
  • Were there any favourite foods or recipes your mother or father cooked? Do you still cook them today?

Their 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 were like?
  • Where you close to any of them? If so who? Why?
  • Describe the house you grew up in. Describe your room, 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.

Their 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 favourite subject?
  • Did you have any hobbies?
  • Who did you and your friends do when you hung out?
  • Did you have a ambition or know what you wanted to be when you grew up?
  • Did you have a part time job? If so what was it?

Their Adulthood

  • How/Where/When did 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 favourite?
  • When did you retire?
  • What do you do now that you are not working?

Miscellaneous

  • Who are some of your heroes?
  • What team do you follow?
  • What type of Music do you like? Who is your favourite artist? What is your favourite song?
  • Have you got to travel a lot? What was your favourite 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?

If you have any more questions you believe should be added to this list please Let Me Know.


Download Your Interview Questions

Family History Interview Questions?