Family is precious and all the individual members, through all generations, play their own unique role in making up the family jigsaw puzzle.
All too often, family members pass on, taking with them a part of the family’s history that cannot be replaced. It’s a really lovely idea to plan interviews with family members, and add them to any family tree you are working on. Even if you haven’t embarked upon a family history project yet, family interviews are a wonderful way to get to know your own heritage better.
Set aside a good length of time, when both the interviewer and the subject are relaxed and willing. The idea is to find out about memories that have shaped each person in your family. You may uncover amazing love stories, hidden heartaches, missing pieces and hilarious anecdotes.
Record the whole interview if possible, either on video, or just the audio recording. It will help you keep the information correct, and it will be great to refer to.
Try these questions for starters:
– Tell me about growing up in your hometown, and when were you last there?
– When you were a young child, how did you spend your time?
– What did you love to do in high school?
– What is your enduring memory of being a teenager?
– Please tell me about your parents?
– What was most important to them?
– Do you know the story of how they met?
– What do you think they would say to your grandchildren?
– How did you meet your husband/wife and know they were the one?
– How did love change over time and how did that challenge you?
– What is your advice about love?
– How did you choose your career and what was your favorite part of it?
– How do you consider yourself successful?
– How did you learn to deal with hard times?
– What was the hardest time in your life and what did it teach you?
– What was the happiest time in your life and what did it teach you?
– Can you describe three life-changing events in your life?
– What do you remember about when each of us was born?
– Were you ever scared to be a parent, or in life?
– How did you learn about parenting and what are you most proud of as a parent?
– Please tell me about your siblings – what is your enduring memory of them?
– What is the best memory you have about your family?
– How do you think you are described by people who love you?
– When they think about their careers, what do you want your children to focus on?
– What have you learned about other people in life?
– If you could, how would you change the world today – ie what does it need more of?
– What do you believe people want the most in life?
– Name three of the best decisions you have ever made and what are you most proud of?
– What are you most thankful for?
– What message do you have for the family?