Biography questions for friends

Have you ever wanted to know what your mother was like as a child? What your grandfather did for a living? Or how your parents met? Below are 25 Life Story Questions to ask your parents or grandparents to learn more about their life stories and your family history.

As a Legacy Video producer, I ask over 100 questions in an interview so be sure to add your own questions to the list. And don’t forget to ask follow-up questions!

Life Story Questions

1. What is your full name?
2. When and where were you born?
3. Were you named after anyone?
4. What is/was your father’s/mother’s name?
5. Where was he/she from?
6. Describe your father/mother.
7. What did your father/mother do for work?
8. What were your father’s/mother’s parents’ names?
9. Where were they were from?
10. What did your father’s/mother’s parents do for work?
11. Do you know any more about their family history?
12. How did your parents meet?
13. Do you have any siblings? List names and birthdates.
14. Where did you grow up?
15. Describe the neighborhood/s.
16. What schools did you attend?
17. What were your
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    50 Life Story Interview Questions

    Tips for crafting thoughtful life story interview questions 

    Suppose you want to write a life story about someone, whether a loved one or someone who inspires you. You aim to capture their life experiences and convey a message through their story. But you might find that you need help figuring out where to start. Using the right questions is a great way. Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in crafting life story interview questions that will help you capture their essence and create a captivating story.

    Research their background.

    Before crafting life story interview questions, thoroughly research the background of the person you’re interviewing. Here are the areas you should look into:

    Upbringing:

    Learn about their childhood environment, including:

    • Family dynamics
    • Cultural background
    • Early life experiences.

    Education:

    Explore their educational journey, noting any significant achievements, areas of study, or challenges they encountered.

    Career trajectory:

    Investigate their career progression, highlighting:

    • Profes
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      Education

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      Because every individual is unique and every interviewer has his or her own special interests and research goals, there is no single set of questions that will fit every situation. The following are some that might help guide an interview with a relative or community member about family folklore and local traditions. Pick and choose among them to suit your own interests, and change the wording as you see fit. Ultimately, the most useful questions will be those that you develop yourself based on your knowledge of your own family and/or community. Remember not to be tied to a formal list of questions; rather use your questions as guideposts for the interview. Be flexible and have fun!

      Biographical Questions

      • What is your name?
      • Where and when were you born?
      • Where did you grow up?
      • Where have you lived?
      • What jobs have you had?
      • What do you do for a living now?

      Family Folklore

      Q: What do you know about your family name? Are there stories about its history or origins? Has it undergone any changes? Are there any stories about those changes?