Several years ago, I started doing random interviews with my Grandma and am so thankful for the memories that I recorded with her. But I will be the first to admit that I’m not really good at the interview process. When I listen back to the recordings, I realize that I could have benefited from a little help and forethought. There are questions I wish I had asked and stories that I wish I knew. So to help us all as we record the memories of our older generations, I’m providing some thought starters to help us out. I also have some great resources to help capture the memories if interviews are not convenient.
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Over the years, Grandma and I talked about many things. But there are still topics I wish I had asked her about. Now that I can no longer do interviews with her, I’m already planning to turn the camera toward my parents. But this time, I’m going to plan a few of the interviews so I don’t miss some of these important conversations. To help you with the interviews, I’ve even made it easy for you so you can just print the questions and start planning your next recorded conversation!
Printable interview questions
Holidays
What was your favorite gift?
Did you believe in Santa Claus?
Where did you shop for gifts (Sears catalog, homemade gifts?)
What did you get/give in Christmas stockings?
Did you read the Nativity story on Christmas Eve? Other traditions?
School/Education
Did you finish high school? go to college?
Did you have homework?
How did you get to school every day? walk/wagon/horse
Did you ever miss school to help on the farm?
Did your kids/grandkids/great grandkids have any educational accomplishment you are proud of? (i.e all the boys graduated from college)
Travel
How many states have you visited?
Did you go on vacations as a kid?
Did you ever go camping, to the beach, mountains, road trips?
Hobbies (Quilts)
When did you make your first quilt (afghan)?
Did you enjoy learning? Who taught you?
What was your favorite?
Where did you get the fabric?
Spiritual Life
Did you grow up in church?
When did you get saved? baptized?
Did you ever sing in the choir?
Favorite Sunday school teacher/class?
Did you ever go on a mission trip?
What do you think about Heaven?
Romantic Life
Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend in high school?
Where did you meet your spouse?
Where did you go on the first date with your spouse?
What is your favorite memory of your wedding?
Who performed your wedding?
Food
What is your favorite food? least favorite?
Did your parents ever make you eat something you didn’t like?
Did you always love to cook?
Who taught you to cook?
Remember that interviews don’t have to be formal or planned. Just pull out your phone and ask questions. Sure, you’ll have background noise, hiccups, coughs and missteps, but that’s part of the fun. Don’t wait for perfect timing, just get started!
This 20 second interview snippet was taken in McDonalds while we were finishing coffee before a family event. It was a bit noisy, but I’m so glad I started recording because I got some perfectly unscripted treasured responses!
Hobbies (Reading)
What was your favorite book to read when you were a child?
Did your parents love books too?
Where was your favorite place to read? by the fireplace, in a tree, in your room?
Any unusual stories of animals in your past? captured a snake, brought home a frog in your pocket
Politics
Did your parents talk about politics?
What was the first election you voted in?
Have you always thought it was important to vote?
Who was your favorite president?
History
Do you remember when…. (Pearl Harbor, Walk on Moon, JFK assassination, Martin Luther King Jr I have a Dream speech)
Random Questions
How did you learn to drive? Did your parents teach you? Did you drive tractors?
When did you first get a TV, phone?
Do you remember the first time you used a computer?
Recently we gave my mother-in-law a journal called My Life Story so she can start recording her memories. We are excited to have these stories on paper so we not only have her thoughts but also her own writing style that records the memories.
Have you done any interviews with your grandparents or parents? Got any tips or questions that you think I should add? Are you recording or journaling with the older generation so future kids and grandkids will have these memories? I’d love to hear how you are connecting!
What are your interests in life?How do you spend your leisure time?What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?What are the activities you enjoy most in your personal life?
Our Grandparents' Day interview activity includes questions such as: What were your parents' names?Where did you grow up?What was your house like growing up?Did you like school?
Whatever activities you enjoy doing in your spare time, when asked “What are your hobbies?” in a job interview, frame your answer in the context of the job and organisation you're applying to work at. For example: If you're applying to be a finance analyst, talk about the problem-solving elements of your hobby.
Grandparents are the ones who make a complete family after our parents. Grandparents are the oldest members of a family who take responsibility for the entire family. Kids are adored the most by their grandparents, and they spend quality time with them.
The third round is a personal interview between the most suitable candidate and the boss of your future manager, the so-called grandparent principle. We are also interested in a candidate's motivation to work in IKEA in this phase and what expectations they have.
What do you think of mindfulness? Do you think we'd be better off without social media? What do you think it means to be healthy? What do you love the most in life?
Hobbies are typically more focused activities that a person pursues in their free time. Hobbies may involve crafting, playing a musical instrument, gardening, cooking, or other activities that offer a sense of creative expression or relaxation.
Employers are often interested in how well you could integrate into their company culture. Therefore, asking about hobbies gives a glimpse into your personality, values, and alignment with the company's ethos.
A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit. Many people engage in hobby activities that turn into a source of income.
Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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