These are sample questions from a longer list that is provided to each First Person Narratives client to help get those memories flowing!

Family History

Where did your ancestors come from? What is your favorite memory of your grandparents? What were some of the prevailing attitudes and beliefs in your family? What did you especially admire about your parents?

Childhood Home and Family Life

What do you remember most about your childhood home? Who was in your household (including pets)? What do you remember about your childhood toys and games? What were your favorite foods? How did you celebrate holidays?

School

Did you like your grade school? How did you get there? What did you wear? When you were in high school, what was going on in the world? Describe your clothes, activities, parties, clubs, and jobs. As a youngster, what were your hopes and dreams?

Courtship and Marriage

At what age did you begin dating? What did people do on dates? What did you love most about your spouse when you met? Talk about your wedding. When and where was it, how old were you, and what did you wear?

Children

When and where were your children born, and in what circumstances? Describe the personalities of your children. What are you proud of in each of them?

Vocations and Avocations

What was the salary at the first place you worked? What have been your favorite jobs? Do you have favorite hobbies (sewing, gardening, construction)?

Other Memories and Observations

What do you remember about the advent of the telephone, automobile, air travel, TV, etc.? What are your attitudes about government, politics, and civic life? What family heirlooms do you possess? Why are they valuable to you? Are you the same person now as you were as a child, or are you much different?

Words of Wisdom and Hope for the Future

How has the world changed from when you were a child? What lessons have you learned? Was your time well spent? Of what are you the most proud? What do you regret? What are your greatest hopes for your children and grandchildren? How has your life mattered? What have you meant to others?