Interviewing the Elders: Questions to Ask Before It Is Too Late
Short Answer
An elder's memory is the richest source a family tree has, and the fastest one to disappear. This list of questions is built to open up stories rather than merely collect dates — because a name without a story is not remembered by a grandchild who never met the person.
Every family has one person who remembers everything. When that person goes, the average family loses three generations of information in a single day.
Before you begin
Record the conversation on your phone. Say what it is for. Do not run a session past 45 minutes — elders tire, and the best stories usually arrive in the second or third session.
Questions about places
- Where did grandfather grow up? What did the house look like?
- Why did the family move here?
- Who were the neighbours then?
Questions about people
- Do you remember the name of your own grandfather's father?
- How many brothers and sisters were there? Who died young?
- Who in the family was the funniest? The strictest?
Questions about events
- What is your earliest memory?
- What were the Japanese occupation years like for our family?
- What was your wedding day like?
After the interview
Enter the information into the system the same day, while you still remember the context. Mark whatever is unconfirmed so it can be checked later.
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