Write a Personal History--Appendix: Difference between revisions

Here is further information to help you get started in writing a personal history and to preserve family photos and artifacts.  

=== <span id="Questions_to_Prompt_Personal_Recollections" class="mw-headline">Questions to Prompt Personal Recollections</span> ===

 

*When and where were you born?  

*How did you get your name?  

*What did you look like as a baby?  

*What color are your eyes? What color is your hair?  

*What are your earliest memories?  

*Who is your mother? Describe her appearance and personality.  

*Did your mother work outside the home? What did she do?  

*Who is your father? Describe him and his personality.  

*Did your father do home repairs? What were his hobbies?  

*What was your father’s occupation?  

*How many siblings do you have? What are their names?  

*Where do you fit in the family?  

*What family rules did you have?  

*What did your parents value?  

*Did you have assignments or chores when you were a child?  

*Did you get along well with your siblings when you were children?  

*Do you get along well with your siblings now?  

*Did you know your grandparents? What were they like?  

*Did you know any of your great-grandparents? Tell about them.  

*Who were your earliest friends?  

*Where did you play?  

*What kinds of games did you play?  

*What were your favorite toys?  

*What were your favorite family activities?  

*How did you feel about taking naps as a child?  

*Were you a happy child?  

*What made you mad when you were a little child?  

*What did you like to eat when you were little?  

*What were your childhood fears?  

*What were your childhood dreams?  

*What health challenges did you have?  

*What are your earliest school memories?  

*How did you get to school as a young child?  

*Did you do well in school? What were your successes and failures?  

*What did you like most about school as a young child?  

*What did you like least about school as a young child?  

*What pets did you have as a young child?  

*Did you ever get lost when you were young? What happened?  

*What organized groups did you belong to, (Scouts, 4H, and so on)?  

*How did you feel about church when you were little?  

*What religious values did your parents teach at home?  

*What do you remember about the house you lived in?  

*What do you remember about other homes you have lived in?  

*What were some of your family traditions?  

*How did your family celebrate Christmas?  

*What was your favorite Christmas gift?  

*Describe your hometown at Christmas time.  

*What was the best family trip you ever experienced?  

*How did you celebrate birthdays?  

*How did your parents discipline you?  

*Was reading important in your family?  

*What did you like to read when you were a child?  

*Was music important in your family?  

*What musical instrument did you learn to play?  

*Tell about special talents in your family.  

*What special family heirlooms did you have?  

*Did you grow a garden?  

*Describe your childhood dreams for your future.  

*Describe your physical appearance as a child.  

*What games did your family play?  

*Did your family go on picnics?  

*Describe the neighborhood you lived in as a child.  

*Where did you shop when you were a child?  

*Did you move during your childhood?  

*What did you want to be when you grew up?  

*What was your favorite thing to do when you were a teenager?  

*What was your favorite food when you were a teenager?  

*Describe the school you attended as a teenager.  

*What were your hobbies during your teenage years?  

*What sports did you enjoy playing?  

*Describe your physical appearance as a teenager.  

*What illnesses or accidents did you have as a teenager?  

*Who were your friends?  

*What did you read as a teenager?  

*Did you like movies?  

*What was your favorite type of music?  

*Did you date during your teens?  

*What was your favorite date during your teens?  

*What was your strangest date?  

*Did you have a steady boy or girlfriend?  

*Was peer pressure a problem?  

*Tell about learning to drive.  

*How did you get to school?  

*Were you a good student?  

*Tell about a strange fashion during your teenage years.  

*What were your religious beliefs as a young adult?  

*What college or university did you attend?  

*What did you enjoy about your college years?  

*What was the most important thing you learned during your college years?  

*Where did you live as a college student?  

*Tell about your early romances.  

*Who were your friends during your college years?  

*Did you get a degree? If so, what was your subject?  

*What was your first job?  

*What was your job through most of your working life?  

*Why did you choose your career?  

*Tell about successes and failures in your career.  

*If you had a chance to choose another career what would it be?  

*What has been your biggest responsibility in your adult life?  

*What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life?  

*How has the relationship with your parents changed since you became an adult?  

*What did you look for in a future spouse?  

*Tell how you met your future spouse.  

*What did you do on dates with your future spouse?  

*How long did you know each other before getting engaged?  

*What attracted you to your future spouse?  

*Tell how you got engaged.  

*How long were you engaged?  

*Where did you meet your future in-laws?  

*What challenges did you face in planning a wedding?  

*Tell about your wedding day (weather, clothes, and so on).  

*What problems did you encounter on your wedding day?  

*What special gifts did you receive from your wedding?  

*How old were you and your spouse when you got married?  

*Where did you get married?  

*Where did you spend your honeymoon?  

*What were your plans and dreams when you married?  

*Where was your first home after you married?  

*Tell about any interesting or unusual things in your first home.  

*How much rent did you pay per month?  

*What surprised you most about your spouse?  

*Do you get along well with your in-laws?  

*Share some memories of your early married days.  

*What was the hardest adjustment in marriage?  

*How hard was it to manage finances as newlyweds?  

*Describe the first home you owned. When did you buy it?  

*How much did your first home cost?  

*How many times have you moved during your life?  

*How much time passed before the birth of your first child?  

*Tell about the births of your children.  

*How did you choose your children’s names?  

*Tell about the differences between your children.  

*Do your children get along together well?  

*What were your biggest challenges in raising your children?  

*What would you do differently in raising your children?  

*Have you fulfilled any childhood dreams during your adult years?  

*Do you feel you have done a good job managing money?  

*Tell about any major diseases you have had.  

*Have you had any major accidents?  

*Tell about any surgeries you have had.  

*Are you physically active?  

*What do you do for leisure?  

*What sports do you participate in?  

*What physical or mental challenges do you have?  

*How is your vision? Do you wear glasses or contacts?  

*What is your blood type?  

*Describe your physical appearance as an adult.  

*What is your favorite food as an adult?  

*What kind of music do you listen to?  

*What is your favorite type of book?  

*Share your religious beliefs.  

*Do you like to travel or would you rather stay home?  

*Where have you traveled?  

*What have you learned from traveling?  

*Where would you still like to travel?  

*Describe your relationship with your siblings as an adult.  

*List all the places where you have lived, including addresses.  

*Have you served in the military?  

*Tell about the most unusual person you have ever met.  

*Tell about your favorite neighbors.  

*Who are your friends?  

*What interesting people live in your neighborhood?  

*What is the best thing about your community?  

*What would you like to change in your community?  

*Tell about the weather where you live.  

*Do you live in a large or small community?  

*Have you been involved in your community?  

*What career changes have you made as an adult?  

*What is unusual about your appearance?  

*What do you like best about your physical appearance?  

*What would you change in your appearance?  

*What has been your best vacation as an adult?  

*If you could change the world for your grandchildren, what would be different?  

*What is your advice to those younger than you?  

*What are your dreams for your children and grandchildren’s future?  

*What is your greatest achievement?  

*What would you like people to know about you?  

*What awards and recognitions have you received?  

*Describe your present home.  

*Do you live alone, with a spouse or with others?  

*What makes you happy?  

*How have national events influenced your life?  

*How have international events influenced your life?  

*How has technology changed during your life?  

*What other major changes have you seen during your life?  

*Tell about any major catastrophes.  

*Tell about major religious events in your life.  

*What do you still want to accomplish in life?  

*Tell about your relationship with your spouse.  

*Tell about your relationship and feelings for each of your children.  

*Do you have any major regrets? Can they be remedied?  

*How have you changed during your life?  

*What pleases you most about your life?  

*What have you done to make your world a better place?  

*What are your basic values and beliefs?  

*How has answering these questions affected you?  

[[Category:Personal_History]]