Writing a Personal History or Family History

A guide to conduction a personal history interview

Knowing where you came from and what your family’s story is an invaluable treasure. If you make a point of recording and writing down you family story it is something that can be cherished for generations. These questions focus on what entertains you. These questions also make excellent guide to conduct a interview with a parent, grandparent or anyone else.

What movie was influential on your life?
What music was influential on your life?
What did you think of the Beatles when you first heard them?
What did you think of Elvis when you first heard him?
Did you ever perform for a crowd?
What song is reminds you of your childhood?
If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
What was your favorite radio program?
What was your best art project?
What was the first concert you went to see?
What was the best concert you went to see?
Did anyone in your family ever act in a play?
Do you play any musical instruments ?
Did your parents play any musical instruments ?
What songs did your mother/father sing to you?
When and how did you learn to dance?
What was the first professional sporting event you went to?
What was the first TV show you remember seeing?
What was the first Color TV show you remember seeing?
What there a TV show that you always watched?
Were you ever on TV or in the Newspaper?
What community events or parties did you go to?
What song do you always sing along with?
Have you ever won a trophy?
What book can you read over and over again?

These questions are not designed to be a check list they are designed as a starting point for a conversation. Please ask and answer what ever follow up questions come to mind. Remember that some questions may be awkward to ask or answer but if you do not get that information it may be lost forever.

You may also want to look at these other Personal/Family History pages:

General Information
Family
Growing Up
Dating and Marriage
Education
Work and Finances
History
Entertainment

Asking the right questions is more important than knowing the answer.                    home

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The 50 most common interview questions