You sit at a kitchen table with a recorder, a notebook, and a cup of tea, ready to capture the details of a family member’s life. A structured checklist keeps the conversation focused, ensures nothing important is missed, and provides space for notes and checkboxes. The same template can be used for multiple interviews, printed or completed on a tablet, and stored in a single file for easy archiving.
Early life
1. [ ] What is your full name at birth? ____
2. [ ] When and where were you born? ____
3. [ ] Who were your parents, and what were their occupations? ____
4. [ ] What is the story behind your given name or any nicknames? (family tradition, meaning) ____
5. [ ] Describe the house you grew up in (size, location, notable features). ____
6. [ ] Who were the siblings you lived with, and what were their ages? ____
7. [ ] What were your earliest memories of the neighborhood? (sounds, smells) ____
8. [ ] Which holidays or celebrations were most important in your childhood? ____
9. [ ] What school did you attend for primary education? ____
10. [ ] Who was a teacher or adult who influenced you early on? (why) ____
11. [ ] What chores or responsibilities did you have at home? ____
12. [ ] Describe a favorite game or pastime from your early years. ____
13. [ ] Were there any family traditions you remember from your childhood? ____
14. [ ] What was a typical weekend like for you as a child? ____
15. [ ] Did any events (e.g., moves, losses) shape your early outlook? ____
Family and relationships
1. [ ] Who are your siblings, and what are their birth order and current locations? ____
2. [ ] What is a memorable story you share with a sibling? (lesson, humor) ____
3. [ ] Who was your first close friend, and how did you meet? ____
4. [ ] Describe your relationship with your parents as an adult. ____
5. [ ] What values or habits did you inherit from your parents? ____
6. [ ] Who did you marry or partner with, and how did you meet? ____
7. [ ] What were the most significant challenges you faced together? ____
8. [ ] List your children, their birth years, and one characteristic you cherish in each. ____
9. [ ] What family rituals have you continued or created with your own family? ____
10. [ ] Describe a moment when a family member’s advice changed your path. ____
11. [ ] Who are the relatives you feel closest to, and why? ____
12. [ ] What is a family heirloom or item that holds special meaning? ____
13. [ ] How have you dealt with family conflict or estrangement? (approach) ____
14. [ ] What traditions have you let go of, and what replaced them? ____
15. [ ] Who would you consider the “family historian,” and what do they do? ____
Education and work
1. [ ] Which schools or universities did you attend, and what did you study? ____
2. [ ] What was your favorite subject, and why did it resonate? ____
3. [ ] Who was a mentor or professor who left a lasting impression? ____
4. [ ] Describe your first job, including title, employer, and responsibilities. ____
5. [ ] What motivated your career choices at different stages of life? ____
6. [ ] List the most significant career milestones or promotions you achieved. ____
7. [ ] What professional accomplishment are you most proud of? ____
8. [ ] How did you balance work with family responsibilities? ____
9. [ ] Describe a setback or failure at work and how you responded. ____
10. [ ] What skills or certifications did you acquire outside formal education? ____
11. [ ] Who were the colleagues that influenced your professional growth? ____
12. [ ] What was a memorable project you led or contributed to? ____
13. [ ] How did technology changes affect your work over the years? ____
14. [ ] What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself about work? ____
15. [ ] When did you retire or transition out of full‑time work, and what prompted it? ____
Health and milestones
1. [ ] What were the major health events in your life (illnesses, surgeries, recoveries)? ____
2. [ ] How did you manage a serious health challenge, and who supported you? ____
3. [ ] What regular health practices have you maintained (exercise, diet, screenings)? ____
4. [ ] Describe a milestone birthday or anniversary that stood out. ____
5. [ ] What was your experience with parenthood (pregnancy, birth, early years)? ____
6. [ ] How did you cope with the loss of a loved one? (support, rituals) ____
7. [ ] What is a physical activity you enjoyed throughout adulthood? ____
8. [ ] Have you ever relocated for health reasons? If so, why? ____
9. [ ] What vaccinations or preventive measures do you consider essential? ____
10. [ ] Describe a moment when you felt physically strongest or most vulnerable. ____
11. [ ] What role did mental health play in your life, and how did you address it? ____
12. [ ] How have you adapted your living environment as you aged? ____
13. [ ] What medical advice or treatment changed your outlook? ____
14. [ ] Who has been your most trusted health professional, and why? ____
15. [ ] What legacy do you hope to leave regarding health habits for future generations? ____
Values and beliefs
1. [ ] Which religious or spiritual practices have shaped your worldview? ____
2. [ ] What core values did you learn from your parents? ____
3. [ ] How have your political views evolved over time? ____
4. [ ] What causes or charities have you supported, and why? ____
5. [ ] Describe a decision that tested your moral compass. ____
6. [ ] What principles guide how you treat strangers or acquaintances? ____
7. [ ] How do you define success, and has that definition changed? ____
8. [ ] What lessons about generosity have you learned? ____
9. [ ] Which books, poems, or songs have influenced your philosophy? ____
10. [ ] How have you dealt with moments of doubt or existential questioning? ____
11. [ ] What cultural heritage traditions do you actively preserve? ____
12. [ ] Describe a time when you stood up for something you believed in. ____
13. [ ] How do you approach forgiveness, both giving and receiving? ____
14. [ ] What ethical dilemmas have you faced in your career or personal life? ____
15. [ ] What hope do you have for the values you pass on to younger generations? ____
Stories and anecdotes
1. [ ] Tell a story about a family trip that went unexpectedly well or poorly. ____
2. [ ] What is a funny mishap you remember from a holiday gathering? ____
3. [ ] Describe a moment when you felt truly seen by another person. ____
4. [ ] What is a cherished childhood memory involving a grandparent? ____
5. [ ] Share a story of a time you helped a neighbor in need. ____
6. [ ] What was a surprising skill you discovered you had later in life? ____
7. [ ] Describe a situation where you learned something from a child. ____
8. [ ] What is a memorable encounter with a public figure or celebrity? ____
9. [ ] Tell a story about a family tradition that was started by you. ____
10. [ ] What is a lesson you learned from a travel experience? ____
11. [ ] Describe a moment when technology surprised you (first phone, internet). ____
12. [ ] What is a story of resilience that you tell often? ____
13. [ ] Share a humorous misunderstanding that became a family legend. ____
14. [ ] What is a moment of pride you recall from a community event? ____
15. [ ] Describe a time you felt a deep connection to your ancestry. ____
Session tracking
1. [ ] Session date and location: ____
2. [ ] Interviewee name and relationship to you: ____
3. [ ] Sections completed (check each): Early life ☐, Family ☐, Education ☐, Health ☐, Values ☐, Stories ☐
4. [ ] Notes on audio/video quality: ____
5. [ ] Backup method used (cloud, external drive, etc.): ____
6. [ ] Follow‑up items needed (additional contacts, documents): ____
7. [ ] Date of next scheduled interview: ____
Worth remembering: Keep the checklist handy during each interview, tick every box, and write brief notes beside each question. After the session, record the date, location, and any follow‑up actions in the tracking section. The same template can be reused for every family member, preserving consistency while allowing space for unique stories.
Common questions
What should this resource include?
The resource should contain a numbered list of specific interview questions grouped by theme, checkboxes for each item, space for brief notes, a session‑tracking page, and instructions for printable and digital use. It must cover preparation, the interview itself, and post‑session archiving, all within one or two pages.
Can I use it digitally and on paper?
Yes. The checklist is designed as a simple text document that can be printed on a single sheet or filled out on a tablet, laptop, or phone using any note‑taking app. Digital fields retain the checkboxes and note lines, so you can keep the same file for multiple interviews without reprinting.
How should I customize it for my family?
Start by adding the name of each interviewee at the top of the session‑tracking page. If certain themes are less relevant, you can omit those sections or reorder them. Add any family‑specific prompts in parentheses after a question, and adjust the note space size if you need more room for details.