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Genealogy: Finding Your Ancestors Online

Interviews are a great way to expand your family history knowledge. Genealogists usually recommend starting with the oldest members of your family - but aim to interview all of your relatives! Speak with people from different branches and generations of your family. Stories and details may have been differently understood and shared by different lines of the family. You can even ask a friend to interview you!

Preparation

  • Think about what you want to focus on. Are you interested in a particular person or time period, or do you just want to go where the interviewee leads you?
  • Develop a "cheat sheet" of what you think you know and plan the questions you want to ask.
  • Lay your groundwork. Describe your project and some of the topics you’d like to talk about. That will allow your relatives to think about what they'd like to share.
  • Gather any old photos or documents you think might spark memories. (Include any photos you can't identify, just in case!)
  • If you don’t know the relative well, it may be helpful to include someone more familiar, or make the interview a group experience. 

Questions for Interviewing Family Members

Interviewing members of your family may help you gather information about your ancestors. It's a good idea to start with the oldest members of your family and work forward. People may remember important details or have family heirlooms, records, or photos that can help you. If at all possible, record the interview. 

Here are some questions to get you started. Feel free to skip around or just go where the conversation leads you. 

  1. Who were the oldest members of your family that you knew personally?
  2. Do you know their whole names? Birthdates? 
  3. Did your parents talk about any of their ancestors when you were growing up?
  4. Did anyone who wasn't related to you live with you when you were a child?
  5. Where did you grow up?
  6. For how long did your family live in the area(s)?
  7. How many siblings did you have? What were their names and ages?
  8. Did other family members live in the area? If so, who?
  9. What was your house or apartment like? 
  10. What was your neighborhood like?
  11. Did your town have a railroad? A post office? Stores?
  12. What was your family's religious affiliation?
  13. Where did you go to church?
  14. Where did you go to school?
  15. What level of education do you have?
  16. Were there any illnesses in your family?
  17. Do any illnesses run in the family?
  18. Did your family have any traditions?
  19. What events stand out to you from your childhood?
  20. What were your parents’ occupations?
  21. Where did your parents work?
  22. Did you work? Where?
  23. Did anyone in your family serve in the military?
  24. Did anyone in your family hold a public office?
  25. What were your family's favorite meals? Are there any special family recipes?
  26. Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper?
  27. What kinds of organizations did your family belong to?
  28. When did you move away from home?
  29. Have you ever been married? If so, to whom? When?
  30. (If partnered) Where did you meet your spouse or partner?
  31. (If married) How long did you date before getting married?
  32. Where did you get married?
  33. Who participated in your wedding?
  34. Do you have a copy of your wedding invitation?
  35. Was there an announcement in the newspaper? Which paper?
  36. How many children do you have?
  37. What stories did you tell your children when they were growing up?