Introduction

These questions are to capture the moments that shaped your life. Your legacy can only be treasured by future generations if you take the time to share your story. Thank you.

Here’s how to get the most out of the questions.

• You can answer questions however you like, skipping any that you like.
• There is no right or wrong answer. Some questions may not apply to you or you may not wish to answer some – that’s fine.
• Try not to overthink or hold back when answering. Instead, speak freely with whatever comes into your mind. Where possible, try to be honest, thoughtful and detailed in the answers you give. There is no need to be formal or worry about structuring your answer. The best answers are the ones that come straight from the heart.
• Take your time. There are a lot of questions. Do as many as you want in as many sessions as you like.
• Go easy and enjoy the process.

Any questions?

Questions

Early years

1. Were you named after anyone?
2. Do you like or dislike your name?
3. If you could choose a different name, what would it be?
4. How old were your parents when you were born?
5. Are there any stories you were told about your birth?
6. Were you a healthy baby or were there any health concerns?
7. What were some stories your parents shared with you about when you were a baby?
8. What is your earliest memory?
9. Do you have any keepsakes of your early years? (Photos, locks of hair, gifts etc)
10. What do you know about the house you lived in as a baby? How long did you live there?
11. Do you see any character traits you’ve inherited from your parents. Which traits and from which parents?

Childhood

1. Did you have special toys or items that were precious to you and what’s the story of how they came to you?
2. What type of games did you enjoy playing with friends, siblings or by yourself?
3. What childhood fears do you remember having?
4. Do any smells, sounds or tastes bring back memories of childhood?
5. Describe places where you spent most of your free time when you were little. Your room? Your back garden? A friend’s house?
6. Did you have your own room growing up?
7. What did you like or dislike about the area you lived growing up?
8. What were mealtimes like growing up? Was there a strict routine?
9. Describe your childhood kitchen – smells, tastes, sounds, textures and colours
10. Were there any foods you disliked as a child? Do you still dislike them today?
11. What details do you remember about the ritual of bedtime or bath time? Are there any books or songs you remember your parents reading or singing to you?
12. What activities do you remember doing with your mum or dad or both?
13. Did you feel connected to your parents growing up?
14. Did your family have any struggles that had to be overcome? Did they try to shield you from them or did you play an active role in overcoming them?
15. Were you given pocket money? If so, how much? What did you spend it on?
16. Did you have enough money growing up?
17. What were the biggest influences in your school years? In what ways did they influence you?
18. What did you like and dislike the most about school?
19. What subject do you wish was taught in school?
20. What were your favourite subjects in school?
21. Did you play any sports or instruments, or participate in any extracurricular school activities?
22. Which sports teams were you a fan of as a child?
23. Can you describe a standout memory from your high school years?
24. Can you describe a proud achievement from your childhood or teenage years?
25. What did you do for fun after school and on weekends?
26. Did you have a best friend or group of friends? Do you still keep in contact with any of your school friends today?
27. Did you ever have any friends that your parents disapproved of? What caused their disapproval?
28. Were your parents strict? How did they discipline you? What did you do when you got into trouble?
29. Did you go on family holidays or trips? Where did you go? Do you have any memories of them?
30. What special dates did your family celebrate each year? How did you celebrate them?
31. Is there a particular birthday party or other celebration that stands out in your memory?
32. Do you consider your childhood to be a happy one? Why or why not?
33. What advice would you give to your teenage self today?

Interests & pursuits

1. Did you always have a clear vision of what you wanted to do in life? Were your career interests influenced by anyone or anything in particular or did you drift into things?
2. Did you attend college or university?
3. What were the highlights of your young adults years after leaving school?
4. Do you have any regrets about your life in the early years after leaving school? Would you have done anything differently?
5. Do you have any thoughts about education or training that would be helpful to future generations?
6. What was the first job you had where you earned money? How old were you? Did you like it?
7. How did you get your first job?
8. What are all the jobs you’ve had since school?
9. What’s the best job you’ve ever had? Why did you enjoy it?
10. Where was the first place you lived when you left home? Did you live with others?
11. How old were you when you started wearing make up? Who taught you how to apply it?
12. Were you a follower of fashion? Which clothes, hair and make-up trends are most fashionable for you?
13. What pets have you had in your life? What were their names and do you have any memories of them?
14. What hobbies have you had? When did you start and how did you get into them?
15. Describe activities you love doing or that bring you joy?

Family tree

1. Tell me about:
   1. Siblings (Date and year of birth?)
   2. Mum & Dad (Date and year of birth?)
   3. Grandparents
   4. Great grandparents
   5. Children (Date and year of birth?)

Family, friends & relationships

Family

1. What was your relationship like with your mum & dad growing up? Did your relationship change when you grew up?
2. What was something you learned to do or appreciate from one or both of your parents?
3. Which traits do you share with your siblings? Physical or characteristics? In what way do you differ?
4. Did you get along with your siblings as a child?
5. In what way has your relationship with your siblings changed over years?
6. What similar or different character or personality traits do you see in your grandparents compared to your parents?
7. How close were you to your grandparents? Any memories?
8. What’s an important lesson you learned from your grandparents?
9. What character traits do you love about each of your children?
10. What is your dream for your children and grandchildren?
11. Did you have regular family get-togethers when you were growing up? What format would they take and how many people would come?
12. Has there ever been any serious arguments or fall-outs among your family members? What caused them and were they resolved?
13. Do you consider any other non-related people in your life to be family? Why?

Friends

1. Who are, or have been, your closest and dearest friends in life? Any stories of your friendship?
2. Who is your oldest friend and how many years have you been friends?
3. Describe a time when a friendship disappointed you or caused you pain. Was there a resolution?
4. Who do you always go to for advice? Do you remember any good advice they’ve given you?

Relationships

1. How old were you when you went on your first proper date? Who was it with and where did you go?
2. Do you have any personal love stories that you want to share? First love? Break up?
3. How and when did you meet your current partner?
4. What qualities do you love most about your partner?
5. Did you have a wedding celebration? Describe the proposal, wedding day and favourite memories of your wedding.
6. Based on your relationship experience, is there any advice you would like to pass on to future generations?

Motherhood

1. Describe when you first knew you were going to be a mum. How did you feel?
2. Do you have any stories of how family and friends reacted to the news that your were going to be a mum?
3. In what ways did becoming a mum change your life?
4. What aspects of motherhood were challenging for you?
5. In what ways did your expectations of being a mum differ from reality?
6. How did your upbringing influence the way you raised your children?
7. Which stages of being a mum (e.g. baby, toddler, school years, adult etc.) have you enjoyed most, and which stages have you found most challenging?
8. Which experiences or memories of being a mum always make you smile?
9. With hindsight, what advice would you give yourself today as a new mum and as a parent?

Beliefs & values

1. What were your parents’ spiritual or religious beliefs and affiliations? Did they change over time? What influence have these had in your life? Have you maintained the same beliefs?
2. How have your spiritual or religious beliefs and affiliations evolved during your life?
3. What makes you feel most patriotic (or not) about your country?
4. What influences have shaped your political beliefs, and have you always maintained the same beliefs?
5. Have you ever felt strongly enough about something to take part in a protest march? If not, what issues would motivate you to?
6. Are there any ways in which changes in your view of the world have changed the way you live your life? (E.g. recycling, boycotting, ditching habits)
7. Do you support any charities? If so, why are these causes important to you?
8. What do you consider to be your core values in life? What values do you most want to pass on to future generations in your family?

Reflections

1. How would you describe yourself?
2. Is there anything in your family’s medical history that your children or grandchildren should know?
3. Of all the places you have lived, which one do you look back on with the fondest memories? Why?
4. Do you have a favourite age or stage in your life?
5. Who has been the most influential person in your life? In what ways have they influenced you?
6. Have you ever given or been the recipient of a random act of kindness?
7. If you could see into the future, what would you want to find out?
8. Describe one of the best days you can remember
9. Excluding your children, what do you consider to be the greatest achievement in your life so far?
10. Do you have any regrets in your life? Do you still hope you will be able to make them right?
11. Have any events in your life that you thought were major issues turned out to be blessings in disguise?
12. Has anything happened in your lifetime (personal or global) that you hope future generations never go through?
13. What’s one of the most stressful times you’ve had to endure in your life and how did you handle it?
14. Describe a scary moment in your life. How did you overcome this and what did you learn from the experience?
15. Is there anything you’ve experienced in your life that you think everybody should experience? If so, what, and for what reasons?
16. What are some of the most amazing experiences that have happened to you?
17. What is one trait that you have that you would most like to improve upon?
18. What secrets do you believe help to create a fulfilling life?
19. What’s the best advice you’ve received?
20. What would you want your great grandchildren and future generations to know about you?
21. From your experiences, what life lessons or advice would you want to share with others?