“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” from Thomas Campbell’s Hallowed Ground
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“Family History Guide,” by Jo Anne Perez.
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Family History Guide
FAMILY HISTORY I highly recommend the pre-approval of the topics and questions with the person you interview.
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ANCESTORS: Describe your ancestors as you remember them. What can you share about family members you may not remember but have heard about? What did you learn from your ancestors?
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BIRTH: What are your parents’ names? What do you know about the day you were born? Where and when were you born? How much did you weigh and how long were you? Did others say you resembled anyone? What name did you receive at your birth? How did your parents decide on that name for you? Were you an only child? What did siblings say about what they remembered about your birth? What occupations did your parents have when you were born? Describe where you lived after your birth. Did you have electricity when you were young? Does the house still exist and look the same? Did you have a “Baby Book?”
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BIRTHDAYS: What gift or birthday present sticks out in your mind? Who gave it to you? Was it a surprise? How did your family celebrate your birthdays? Describe which birthday impacted you most. How old are you now?
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CHILDHOOD: What are your earliest childhood memories? Did your father or mother have a favorite saying? Do you find their words coming out of your mouth? What chores did you have as a child? What was your allowance? How much did bread cost when you were a child? What was your favorite toy? Game? Sport? Did you have a favorite fairytale?
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Family History Guide *
CHILDHOOD (continued): Who was more strict, your mother or father? Describe your punishment when you got in trouble. When did you see TV for the first time? What was the first movie you remember? What kind of a kid were you? Who was your best friend? Do you stay in touch? Describe your playmates and games you played. What is a favorite story about your childhood? What payment did the “Tooth Fairy” leave you? Did you have any pets? Did you learn to whistle? When, and in what kind of car, did you learn to drive? Who taught you? What was the first car you bought? What did you want to do when you grew up? What age did you consider old when you were little? What is the most important thing you learned from your father? What did you love most about your dad and mom? What is the most important thing you learned from your mother?
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TRIPS: Tell about your favorite trip. Have you ever been on a plane or train? Have you ever been on a boat or cruise ship?
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EDUCATION: Did you like school? Where did you attend elementary school? How many grades were in your elementary school? Where did you attend middle school or junior high? What grades were included in your middle school? Where did you attend high school? How would others describe you as a student? What kind of grades did you get in school? What was your favorite subject? What was your school mascot? What clubs or extra-curricular activities did you do in high school? Who was your favorite teacher? What grade were you in and why was that person your favorite? What year did you graduate? Give information about where you went to school after high school.
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FAVORITES: What was, and is, your favorite… Aroma? Bible verse? Book and/or author? Color? Flower? Meal, Dessert, Snack? Joke? Board Game? Card Game? Movie? Movie star? Singer? Song? Sport? TV show? Vehicle you owned? Year in your life and why? Paternal memory? Maternal memory? Sibling memory?
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SCARY THINGS: What scared you as a child? What scares you now?
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HOBBIES: How have your hobbies changed through the years?
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JOBS: What was your first job, how old were you, and what your hourly wage? What other jobs have you had? What was your favorite job and why? What did you do about feeling called to a particular occupation?
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HEALTH HISTORY: Describe any health issues you dealt with. What meaning did you find in experiencing illness or suffering?
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HOLIDAYS: What holiday do you most enjoy and why? What special holiday traditions do you have?
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MUSIC: What favorite music or song did you have as a teenager? List the five songs you consider your favorites now. What is your favorite hymn? Do you have a favorite musical? Do you have a favorite classical piece? What kind of dances have you done? Did you play an instrument or sing?
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WAR: When you heard of America’s involvement in a war, where were you? How old were you? Which war was it? How did war(s) affect your life? Describe your participation in the war effort.
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EXPERIENCES WITH DEATH: At what age do you first remember someone dying? How did you find out? How did the family help you deal with that death? Do you react the same way to death today? How did your dealing with death at that age impact how you taught your family to deal with death? Have you found meaning in anyone’s death? What do you believe about life after death? Do you have concerns about your own death?
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LOVE: Whom did you first love? How old were you? Did you think your love would last? Who broke whose heart? What were the circumstances surrounding your first kiss?
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MARRIAGE: Did you date anyone prior to dating your current spouse? At what age did you go on your first date? What would you like to tell us about that date? How did you meet your spouse?
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MARRIAGE (continued): Describe your first date with the one who became your spouse. Tell how long you dated before you married. Why and when did you decide to get married? Describe the wedding proposal. What did your parents say when you told them you planned to marry? How long was your engagement? What did you enjoy doing together? How old were you when you got married? When did you marry? Describe your wedding ceremony. What was your most memorable wedding gift? Did you go on a honeymoon? Describe your first home after you married. What was your spouse’s job when you married? What was your occupation when you married? Describe the key to a happy marriage.
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CHILDREN: How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a parent? What would you like your child(ren) to remember about their birth(s)? What favorite stories do you have about your kids’ childhood? Which songs did you sing to them? How did (or do) you discipline your children? Describe what you appreciate most about each child. Do the same for each grandchild and great-grandchild.
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WHAT IF … What three things would you want to take with you if you shipwrecked on a remote island, assuming you had the basic needs of food, water and shelter met? If you could have chosen to live in any period in history, which would you have chosen and why?
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FUTURE: What major problems do you see the world facing? What solution do you recommend to solve them? Do you have any advice for the young people? Do you have an optimistic outlook about the future of our country? Do you have an optimistic outlook about the future of your family? What is your wish for the future?
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INFLUENCES: Who do you think had the most influence on you? Why? Who are your heroes and why do they inspire you? What literature affected your life? Describe a life-changing moment in your life. How has your faith influenced your money handling?
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CRISIS HISTORY: Describe how you coped with any crisis in your life.
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HISTORY: What did you think when man first entered space? What was the most important event that has taken place in your life and why? What are the most striking changes that took place in the world in your lifetime? What do you think was the greatest invention in your lifetime? Was living 25 or 50 years ago easier than today? Is there anything you have not gotten out of your life that you really want? What are your deepest values? What was the greatest surprise in your life? What are you most proud of in your life? Describe any regrets in your life you care to share. 7|Page
Family History What would you like people to remember about you? What was the happiest day of your life? Why was it the happiest day for you? *
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Describe any accomplishments you’d like to share. To whom or what do you credit your obtaining that accomplishment? Describe your greatest disappointments and regrets.
* TRADITIONS: What traditions did (and does) your family have? Describe your family reunions. *
LAUGHTER Describe the funniest thing that happened to you. What made you laugh aloud recently?
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TURNING POINTS: Describe the pivotal times in your life. What is your most recent personal triumph?
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LIFE LESSON Describe the greatest life lesson you have learned.
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YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY What you entitle a book about your life?
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SPIRITUAL TESTIMONY: How old were you when you first heard about Jesus? Tell about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you been baptized? When? Where? Age? How have you shared your faith with others? Name your Christian mentor(s). How have you dealt with a crisis of faith? What has been the hardest about being a Christian? What is the best thing about being a Christian? Give examples of when you saw God at work. Describe the most meaningful experience in your Christian walk.
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BLESSING: Before Jacob died, he gathered his family around him. Jacob imparted wisdom and values, expressed wishes about the funeral, and blessed each one. What wisdom, wishes, and blessings do you want to share? 8|Page
