You sit at a kitchen table with a recorder, a notebook, and a stack of loose‑leaf paper. The interview is scheduled for next week, but the steps before, during, and after the conversation are easy to overlook. This printable planner captures every stage—from gathering consent forms to labeling audio files—while leaving room for notes and checkboxes. It fits on two pages, can be filled out on screen, and is reusable for multiple family members without reprinting.
Preparation
1. [ ] Confirm the interviewee’s preferred date, time, and location. ____
2. [ ] Obtain written consent for recording and future use of the material. ____
3. [ ] Choose a quiet space and test the recording device. ____
4. [ ] Prepare a backup recording method (phone, second recorder). ____
5. [ ] List any sensitive topics to approach gently (e.g., health, loss). ____
6. [ ] Gather relevant documents (photos, letters) to show during the interview. ____
7. [ ] Write down the interviewee’s preferred name and pronouns. ____
8. [ ] Set a timer for a 60‑minute session to keep the pace manageable. ____
9. [ ] Pack extra batteries, chargers, and storage cards. ____
10. [ ] Create a folder on your computer named with the interviewee’s name and date. ____
11. [ ] Draft a brief introduction script explaining the purpose of the interview. ____
12. [ ] Arrange for a quiet, comfortable chair for the interviewee. ____
13. [ ] Print a copy of the question list for the interviewee to review if desired. ____
14. [ ] Prepare a water bottle and a light snack for longer sessions. ____
15. [ ] Verify that you have a reliable internet connection if the interview will be virtual. ____
Early Childhood
1. [ ] What is the exact date and place of your birth? (city, hospital) ____
2. [ ] Who were the people present at your birth? ____
3. [ ] Describe the home you lived in during your first five years. (size, neighborhood) ____
4. [ ] What early memory stands out as the happiest from that period? ____
5. [ ] Which family traditions were celebrated when you were a child? ____
6. [ ] Who taught you to read or write, and how did they do it? ____
7. [ ] What school did you attend first, and what was the building like? ____
8. [ ] Recall a favorite game or activity you played with siblings or friends. ____
9. [ ] What was a typical meal at your family table? ____
10. [ ] Did you have a pet, and what role did it play in your childhood? ____
11. [ ] What story or legend did your grandparents tell you often? ____
12. [ ] How did your family handle celebrations like birthdays? ____
13. [ ] What was your first experience of loss or disappointment? (brief description) ____
14. [ ] Which teacher or mentor left a lasting impression, and why? ____
15. [ ] What object from that time do you still keep, and what does it mean to you? ____
Family and Relationships
1. [ ] How would you describe your relationship with your parents growing up? ____
2. [ ] What values did your parents emphasize most? ____
3. [ ] Who are the siblings you feel closest to, and what shared experiences bind you? ____
4. [ ] Describe a family gathering that still feels vivid today. ____
5. [ ] What role did extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) play in your life? ____
6. [ ] When did you meet your partner, and what were the circumstances? ____
7. [ ] What was the first major challenge you faced together, and how did you resolve it? ____
8. [ ] How did you decide on the name(s) for your children? (if applicable) ____
9. [ ] What tradition did you start with your own family that differs from your upbringing? ____
10. [ ] Describe a moment when you felt the family’s support most strongly. ____
11. [ ] What conflict within the family required a long‑term compromise? ____
12. [ ] How have you maintained connections with relatives who live far away? ____
13. [ ] Which family member’s story do you think should be recorded next, and why? ____
14. [ ] What lesson have you learned from a parent or grandparent that you pass on? ____
15. [ ] How do you envision your family’s story being shared with future generations? ____
Career and Work
1. [ ] What was your first paid job, and what duties did it involve? ____
2. [ ] Who was a mentor or supervisor who shaped your professional outlook? ____
3. [ ] Describe a project you consider the most fulfilling, and why. ____
4. [ ] What major career decision did you regret, and what did you learn from it? ____
5. [ ] How did you balance work responsibilities with family life? ____
6. [ ] What skill did you acquire on the job that you never expected to need? ____
7. [ ] Which industry change had the biggest impact on your career path? ____
8. [ ] What was a typical workday for you during your peak years? ____
9. [ ] How did you handle a difficult colleague or client situation? ____
10. [ ] What achievement are you most proud of, and what was the context? ____
11. [ ] Did you ever change careers, and what prompted the transition? ____
12. [ ] How did you decide when to retire or reduce your workload? ____
13. [ ] What advice would you give to someone entering your field today? ____
14. [ ] Which professional network or association played a key role in your development? ____
15. [ ] How do you want your work ethic or philosophy remembered? ____
Later Years and Reflections
1. [ ] What hobby or interest did you pursue after retirement? ____
2. [ ] Which life event in the past decade felt most significant? ____
3. [ ] How have you dealt with health challenges, and what support helped you? ____
4. [ ] What is a story you tell most often to younger relatives now? ____
5. [ ] Which piece of technology do you find most useful, and why? ____
6. [ ] How do you celebrate anniversaries or milestones now? ____
7. [ ] What wisdom would you share about handling loss or grief? ____
8. [ ] Describe a moment when you felt your life’s purpose was fulfilled. ____
9. [ ] What legacy do you hope to leave beyond material possessions? ____
10. [ ] Which personal value has remained unchanged throughout your life? ____
11. [ ] How have you adapted to changes in your community or neighborhood? ____
12. [ ] What book, song, or film best captures the era you grew up in? ____
13. [ ] What advice would you give to your younger self about relationships? ____
14. [ ] How do you want future generations to remember your character? ____
15. [ ] What final message would you like to record for your descendants? ____
Post‑Interview Checklist
1. [ ] Transfer audio files to the designated folder and rename with date and name. ____
2. [ ] Back up the folder to an external drive or cloud service. ____
3. [ ] Transcribe the interview or note key timestamps for important sections. ____
4. [ ] Review the notes column for each question and add any missed details. ____
5. [ ] Tag the file with relevant keywords (e.g., “early childhood”, “career”). ____
6. [ ] Share a copy of the transcript with the interviewee for approval. ____
7. [ ] Record the session date, duration, and any technical issues in the log. ____
8. [ ] Store the printed planner page in an archival box with the interviewee’s name. ____
9. [ ] Update the master index of all completed interviews. ____
10. [ ] Schedule a follow‑up interview if any topics were left unfinished. ____
11. [ ] Create a short summary (150‑200 words) for future reference. ____
12. [ ] Verify that any sensitive information is marked for restricted access. ____
13. [ ] Add a note about where the original recording device is stored. ____
14. [ ] Check that the digital version of the planner is saved in the same folder. ____
15. [ ] Mark the interview as “completed” in the master tracker. ____
Worth remembering: Use the planner as a step‑by‑step checklist, ticking each box and adding brief notes as you go. The structure ensures no stage—from consent to archiving—is missed, and the reusable layout lets you capture many family stories without reprinting.
Common questions
What should this resource include?
The resource should contain a concise preparation checklist, a series of themed question blocks, and a post‑interview checklist, all with checkboxes and space for notes. It must be printable on one or two pages and also available as a fillable digital form so you can use it without paper.
Can I use it digitally and on paper?
Yes. The same layout can be printed as a PDF with checkboxes, or opened in a PDF editor or word processor that allows you to type directly into the fields. The digital version keeps the same note columns, so you can complete it on a tablet or computer and save the file for future reference.
How should I customize it for my family?
Start by reviewing each themed block and removing or re‑ordering questions that don’t apply to the interviewee. Add personal prompts in parentheses if you want deeper follow‑ups, and adjust the preparation checklist to match the tools you have. Keep the overall format unchanged so the checkboxes and note spaces remain functional.