Interview Guide
Never Miss Asking the Important Questions
Use these guided templates to record meaningful conversations with loved ones. Over 100 questions across 10 categories.
Childhood Memories
- 1. Where did you grow up? Describe your childhood home and neighborhood.
- 2. What was your favorite memory as a child?
- 3. Tell me about your parents and grandparents. What were they like?
- 4. What games did you play growing up?
- 5. What was school like when you were young?
- 6. Did you have any pets? Tell me about them.
- 7. What was your favorite food growing up? Who made it?
- 8. Describe a typical day when you were 10 years old.
Education & Learning
- 1. What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
- 2. Tell me about your best teacher. What made them special?
- 3. Did you go to college? What did you study?
- 4. What's the most important lesson you learned in school?
- 5. Were you involved in any clubs or activities?
- 6. What did you want to be when you grew up?
- 7. Tell me about your graduation day.
- 8. If you could go back to school now, what would you study?
Career & Work
- 1. What was your first job? How much did you earn?
- 2. Tell me about your career. What did you do?
- 3. What was your proudest moment at work?
- 4. Who was the most influential person in your career?
- 5. What was the hardest day at work you ever had?
- 6. Did you enjoy your work? Why or why not?
- 7. What advice would you give someone starting their career?
- 8. How did your work change over the years?
Family & Relationships
- 1. How did you meet your spouse/partner? Tell me the whole story.
- 2. Describe your wedding day. What do you remember most?
- 3. Tell me about becoming a parent for the first time.
- 4. What are your favorite memories with your children?
- 5. What family traditions are most important to you?
- 6. Tell me about your siblings. What were they like?
- 7. Who was your best friend? Tell me about them.
- 8. What's the best advice about love and relationships?
Historical Events
- 1. What major historical events do you remember?
- 2. Where were you when [major event] happened?
- 3. How did [historical event] affect your life?
- 4. What was the world like when you were young vs. now?
- 5. Tell me about any wars you experienced or served in.
- 6. What technology changes surprised you most?
- 7. What was the most significant change in society you witnessed?
- 8. What do you think future generations should know about this time?
Life Wisdom & Advice
- 1. What's the most important lesson life has taught you?
- 2. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
- 3. What are you most proud of in your life?
- 4. What's your biggest regret? What would you do differently?
- 5. What does a good life look like to you?
- 6. What values are most important to you?
- 7. What advice would you give to your grandchildren?
- 8. What do you want people to remember about you?
Immigration & Heritage
- 1. Tell me about our family's country of origin. What was it like?
- 2. Why did our family immigrate? What were you leaving behind?
- 3. Describe the journey to [new country]. How did you get here?
- 4. What was your first day in the new country like?
- 5. What was the hardest part about leaving your home?
- 6. What traditions did you bring from the old country?
- 7. How did you maintain your cultural identity?
- 8. What do you want future generations to know about where we came from?
Food & Family Recipes
- 1. What's your signature dish? Can you teach me how to make it?
- 2. Tell me the story behind [family recipe]. Who taught it to you?
- 3. What did family dinners look like when you were growing up?
- 4. What's your favorite holiday meal? What makes it special?
- 5. Are there any secret ingredients or techniques in our family recipes?
- 6. What food reminds you of home?
- 7. Tell me about cooking with your mother/grandmother.
- 8. What recipes do you want to make sure are passed down?
Faith & Spirituality
- 1. What role has faith played in your life?
- 2. Tell me about your spiritual journey.
- 3. What gives your life meaning and purpose?
- 4. How did you handle difficult times in your life?
- 5. What are your beliefs about life after death?
- 6. What spiritual traditions do you want passed down?
- 7. Who were your spiritual role models?
- 8. What brings you peace?
Hobbies & Interests
- 1. What are your favorite hobbies? How did you get into them?
- 2. Tell me about your favorite books/movies/music.
- 3. What do you do for fun?
- 4. If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?
- 5. What's your favorite place you've ever visited?
- 6. Tell me about your proudest accomplishment outside of work.
- 7. What makes you laugh?
- 8. What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't yet?