Begat Chat

Sometimes when I am trying to gather family stories and information from my husband's 94 year old grandmother I don't know exactly what to ask her. Ancestry.com released a list of great questions written by Juliana Smith back in February of 2001. Here is the list of questions.

* Where did you grow up?
* How long did your family live in the area(s)?
* Were there other family members in the area? Who?
* Did you live on a farm? What kind of crops did you grow?
* What kind of livestock or other animals did you keep?
* Did you have any pets?
* What was the house or apartment like? How many rooms?
* What kind of amenities did it have? (indoor plumbing, electricity or gas, phone, television, etc.)
* Were there any special items in the house that stand out in your mind (favorite possessions of yours, your parents, or siblings)?
* What kind of area/neighborhood was it?
* Did the town have a railroad? Post office? What kind of stores or shops?
* What was your family's religious affiliation?
* Where did you go to church?
* What religious ceremonies did you take part in?
* Did you have godparents or sponsors?
* Where did you go to school?
* What level education do you have?
* What was your favorite subject to study?
* Did you have any special interests when you were growing up (sports, hobbies, crafts, etc.)?
* What kind of games did you play?
* What was your favorite toy?
* What other things did you do for fun (go to beach, park, movies, zoo, etc.)?
* Did your family ever take trips or go on vacation?
* Do you speak any foreign languages?
* Did you have family reunions?
* Who were your friends when you were growing up?
* Who were the close friends of the family?
* Describe the personalities of your family members.
* Are there any physical characteristics that run in your family?
* Were there any serious illnesses in your family?
* Do any illnesses run in the family?
* Were there any memorable traditions that your family practiced?
* Can you remember any stories that were told to you as a child (fictional, folklore, or real life)?
* What events stand out in the memory of your childhood (historical, personal, familial, storms or disasters, fire, etc.)?
* What inventions or developments changed your life, and how?
* What was your father's occupation? Where did he work?
* Did your mother work? Where?
* Did you work? Where?
* Did anyone in your family ever serve in the military?
* Did anyone in your family ever hold a public office?
* What was your favorite song?
* Did anyone in your family play a musical instrument?
* What were your family's favorite meals? Are there any special family recipes?
* Were certain foods eaten or avoided on certain occasions?
* Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper?
* What kind of organizations did your family belong to (fraternal, charitable, scouting, etc.)?
* What special skills do you have?
* How did you come into your profession?
* When did you move away from home?
* Have you ever been married? If so, to whom? When?
* Where did you meet your husband/wife?
* Did you exchange any special gifts?
* How long did you date before getting married?
* Where did you get married?
* Who participated in your wedding?
* Did you have a reception? Was there music? What songs were played?
* Do you have a copy of your wedding invitation?
* Was there an announcement in the newspaper? Which paper?