Document the Life of a Grandparent
So corral a grandparent soon and ask them to answer some questions for you. Either tape record them talking and then transcribe the answers into an article or ask them to write the answers in a journal or as a letter.
Some Questions to Ask Grandparents
Where were you born? What is your favorite memory of that place?
How old were you when you left your hometown?
Did you go to college?
At what age did you start to work? What was your first job and how did you obtain it?
At what age did you start to date?
What did you do on your first date? Who was it with?
At what age did you marry? Where was the ceremony held?
How did you meet your future spouse?
How did you pick a career?
At what age did you decide if you did or did not want children?
What is your favorite memory of your entire life?
Who is your best friend?
What makes you happiest in life?
What hobbies do you enjoy?
What is your favorite movie of all time?
How many different places have you lived at?
How has America changed since you were young?
What do you miss about when you were a child?
What experiences have you had as an adult that you never could have imagined as a child?
How do you think the world will change by the time I am your age?
What political party have you voted for the most? Why?
What are the best books you have read during your lifetime?
Who do you most admire in the world?
What five events in history impacted you the most?
What is your favorite family heirloom?
Name five things that exist now that were not around when you were a child.
What still mystifies you about the world?
What do you like to do for fun now?
What makes you laugh?
What wishes do you have for my future?
What advice do you have about marriage?
Do you think college is a good investment?
Does your name have any special family history?
What were your parents like?
What was your favorite subject in school?
What is your most admirable trait?
Is there a work of art that you enjoy? Why?
What songs were played at your wedding?
What was your favorite wedding gift?
Do you enjoy the modern world?
Do you use the Internet?
Where did you live the longest? Why?
What are your favorite foods?
Do you like to cook?
What do you want to do in the next five years?
What was your favorite vacation ever?
What other facts are interesting about your life?
Be creative! Take some time to think up questions that directly relate to a specific grandparent. Then help them capture the details of the life for future generations. Also put together a videotape, tape recording, and album of photos about each grandparent.
Grandparents are not here forever, so appreciate them while you have them !!!!!
Published by Julia Bodeeb
Winner, Pulitzer Center Global Issues contest (Washington, DC), semi-finalist: The Nation's poetry contest. Published in newspapers, magazines and many online websites. Sold jokes to a major comic. Over a... View profile
- Tips for Searching Family HistoryYou have endless options and choices when researching family history, ancestry or doing a genealogy. This will give you a beginning guide on what to look for.
- Local Family History Resources in Essex County, New JerseyThis article looks at local resources available to those trying to trace their genealogy in Essex County, New Jersey. Read this article and you will instantly be able to start tracing your family's history.
Your Child's School Break: How to Make Treasured Family MemoriesSpring and summer break is a chance for you and your children to reconnect. The recent recession means for many people that the summer trip to the cabin on the lake or the beach...- Local Family History Resources in Ventura, CaliforniaThink outside the box. Be your own personal information detective, obtain very specific information you need, or fresh leads, by putting on your walking shoes.
- Carell Buys General Store to Preserve Community HistorySteve Carell buys a neighborhood general store to preserve the history and culture of the community. Read more about it here.
- How to Write a Family History
- Preserving Your Family History
- Mom's Favorite Flower
- Create a Family History Scrapbook with Your Family Tree Information
- How to Connect with Your Aging Relatives Through Family History
- My Most Favorite Memory of Muffin
- Local Family History Resources in Mobile, Alabama
14 Comments
Post a CommentI really like this idea. Especially less expected questions like favorite piece of art.
Excellent idea. I find my grandmother telling me and more things as of late that I didn't know growing up. It's amazing to me the wealth of information ancestors have and when it's revealed to you at times.
Great idea.... we are beginning one immediately!
This is a great idea.
good idea i realy like this
Yes, my Mother and I have both said we'd wished we had asked more questions. My paternal Grandmother was a bit of a mystery, and even though I've been able to go back to 1811 on my Mother's side, My Dad's side is a bit of a dead end!
There is 100 years between the birth of my grandfather and the birth of my daughter. I've often wondered what stories he would tell if he was still alive. This is another phenomenal article Julia!
Great read!!
I did this about ten years ago with my grandmother. I have fond memories of listening to her talk about her youth and her past in general.
I got a lot of that information while they were alive and its in my memory bank. Good article.