Genealogy Chat

Below is a list that was sent to me by another member with a list of questions to ask of family members. I think it just about covers everything! lol

PERSONAL Full name Nicknames, with origin Where did they originate Date of birth Place of birth Relationship to you PARENTS Father’ name Mother’s name Father’s date and place of birth Mother’s date and place of birth Date and place of parents’ marriage Description of father Father’s occupation Details of father’s military service Remarkable features of father Description of mother Mother’s occupation Remarkable features of mother Date and place of father’s death Date and place of mother’s death SIBLINGS Name and date of birth of eldest sibling Description or memories Occupation Address Date and place of marriage Name of spouse Date and place of death Repeat for subsequent siblings CHILDHOOD Earliest memory Memories of home life Favourite childhood games Best friends Clothes Pocket Money Favourite sweets Family outings Family holidays Favourite holiday Family traditions Christmas traditions Birthday traditions Birthday Presents HOME Childhood address Description of house People living in the house Lighting Household chores Local shops Neighbours Other addresses and dates EDUCATION Primary school name and address Date attended Travel arrangements Best friends Teachers Secondary school name and address Dates attended Uniform Favourite subjects Fondest memory Qualifications or awards Best friends Teachers Further education establishments Dates attended Course of study Friends Other school memories WORK Date and place of first job Memories of first day Starting salary Responsibilities Memories of the job Travel arrangements Other jobs with dates Companies Colleagues and friends Details of military service Details of retirement Other work memories or details FAMILY Full name of spouse Date and place of birth Circumstances of meeting Date and place of wedding Wedding memories Best man Bridesmaids Wedding outfits Name and date and place of birth of child 1… repeat for subsequent children Treasured memories Current addresses Details of marriages LIFE EXPERIENCES Hobbies and interests Clubs and organisations Concerts, theatrical events or music festivals attended Major sports events attended Most memorable events Events you would like to re-live Outrageous actions Medals and awards Foreign travel Memorable national or international events Major changes Details of meetings with famous people PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS Name of paternal grandfather Date and place of birth Date and place of death Description Name of paternal grandmother Date and place of birth Date and place of death Description Date and place of marriage Number of children Address Details of house Occupations Details of military service Details of childhood Memories or other information MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS Name of paternal grandfather Date and place of birth Date and place of death Description Name of paternal grandmother Date and place of birth Date and place of death Description Date and place of marriage Number of children Address Details of house Occupations Details of military service Details of childhood Memories or other information GREAT GRANDPARENTS Names Any details OTHER RELATIVES Memories of aunts and uncles Memories of cousins Memories of other relations OTHER INFORMATION

lol Jeanette- think you might need the week off work to fill that one in!! When I first started my family tree I sent out a letter to everyone in my family explaining what I was doing and a questionaire- but it was not quite so indepth as that one!! I think it would have put quite a few of my family off. Speak to you next week- when you've finished your questionaire! Helen.

Hi Jeanette! Adding to this so that I can find it again easily! What a Good Idea! Cheers Kim ;o)))

Just adding to this so that I have it saved - Pen

Would you like to borrow a couple of spotlights as well ? lol Think you have covered EVERYTHING in your list - have you asked about pets????

Thanks Jeanette, This is realy helpfull.

nice one Jeanette, thanks. Will pinch that later (for some severe editing in my case!) Thought it would be a thread about torture victims! xx Jen

Jeanette What a good idea! Michelle

When we started family history, my mother and I posted questionnaires to the elderly members of the family. Questions that we thought fairly simple: What was your father's name? Where was he born? etc The forms that were sent back were only half completed, as if they were scared of putting the wrong answer down. If we followed this up with a visit, they were full of stories, but often still unsure of facts. How I wish I'd taken a tape recorder, and asked those 'out of the box' questions like 'What were your favourite games' Warm up questions like that often trigger a stream of reminiscences. The absolute killer, though, is the question on the lines of: 'Your father was born in Salford, wasn't he?' Your information may be wrong, you have planted the seeds of doubt in your relative's mind and destroyed their confidence in their memories to such an extent that you never learn the truth.

What about religion?

LOL She! Well if you've got a couple of spotlights going spare...........lol I know it's a bit over the top but it can give you a few ideas

Just adding to this so I can save it. Many Thanks Madeline

Meercat It's taken me a while to work this one out, but finally I know why men don't know anything. It's because they don't ask the right questions in the first place! lol Example: Husband: I saw your friend the other day and he said to tell you his Dad has had a stroke. Me: When? How is he? Which hospital is he in? Husband: Don't know, don't know and don't know Now if they can't even ask those three simple need-to-know questions, well there's just no hope at all!!!!!!!!!

nudge

That's a great list! I have been to visit my great-uncle once already (my oldest surviving relative) and after a 3 hr journey, realised I'd forgotten my notebook with all my questions in! Even if I had taken it, I would never have thought to ask half the questions on your list and without wishing to sound morbid, these are things I should ask, before it's too late and he's no longer here to tell me (he's 80). Sam x

WOW Just about covers everythnig!!!!!! Thanks Lorraine

LOL Jeanette! Who's this 'other member' who sent you the list - Torquemada? Sounds like the Inquisition to me! I've only got one elderly aunt still 'with it', and she's approaching 90. I'll be meeting her for the first time in a couple of months. If I start asking her all that lot, I should think I'll only be meeting her the once! CB >|< ;>))))))))

I think this is a great idea. I have an elderly Aunt that I had asked some questions but not covered off on all of these. Thanks for sharing it with us.