Family History Interview Questions?



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

What Family History Interview Questions Should I Ask?

Asking your grandparents, as well as other relatives, family history interview questions about their family history is a great way to not only learn more about your family’s past but, help you obtain a lot of much more valuable information than simply viewing certificates, photos and the other forms of documentation that we, as family historians, traditionally rely on would.

Not only will you get to know a lot more about your family’s past, but it will also give you the opportunity to learn more about both your grandparents and, your other relatives, lives, something I am sure they will appreciate greatly.

Asking questions can also help you uncover some of the traditions and customs passed down through the generations and can help you to feel more connected to your family, as well as give you a better appreciation of your heritage.

Ok, having said all that, what are the family history interview questions I should be asking?

Arguably knowing what family history interview questions to ask could be the most important step of all when starting out on your Family History adventure.

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

Download the Interview Questions
in Printable Format

There are quite a few questions that can be asked, but these are ones that have worked for me and hopefully, they will work for you.

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

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



Details of the Family History Interview Questions.

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 practised 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 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 favourite 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 neighbourhood 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 favourite 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 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?

Download the Interview Questions
in Printable Format

My Family History Interview Questions Request to you:

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