In the next 6 weeks you may have one or more opportunities to sit down with older family members and/or friends of the family whom you seldom see. Take advantage of the time available to do some interviews. Make the time to prepare yourself with some friendly questions to get the nostalgia flowing. Make sure you have pen and paper, laptop or "tape" recorder to record the information. Ancestry Daily News 2/19/2001 - Archive €Interview Questions When interviewing family members, whether it be in person, by phone, or by mail, it is helpful to come up with a list of questions beforehand. Here are some questions that can help get the interview rolling and possibly provide you with leads on where to look for new records: * Where did you grow up? * How long did your family live in the area(s)? * Were there other family members in the area? Who? * Did you live on a farm? What kind of crops did you grow? * What kind of livestock or other animals did you keep? * Did you have any pets? * What was the house or apartment like? How many rooms? * What kind of amenities did it have? (indoor plumbing, electricity or gas, phone, television, etc.) * Were there any special items in the house that stand out in your mind (favorite possessions of yours, your parents, or siblings)? * What kind of area/neighborhood was it? * Did the town have a railroad? Post office? What kind of stores or shops? * What was your family's religious affiliation? * Where did you go to church? * What religious ceremonies did you take part in? * Did you have godparents or sponsors? * Where did you go to school? * What level education do you have? * What was your favorite subject to study? * Did you have any special interests when you were growing up (sports, hobbies, crafts, etc.)? * What kind of games did you play? * What was your favorite toy? * What other things did you do for fun (go to beach, park, movies, zoo, etc.)? * Did your family ever take trips or go on vacation? * Do you speak any foreign languages? * Did you have family reunions? * Who were your friends when you were growing up? * Who were the close friends of the family? * Describe the personalities of your family members. * Are there any physical characteristics that run in your family? * Were there any serious illnesses in your family? * Do any illnesses run in the family? * Were there any memorable traditions that your family practiced? * Can you remember any stories that were told to you as a child (fictional, folklore, or real life)? * What events stand out in the memory of your childhood (historical, personal, familial, storms or disasters, fire, etc.)? * What inventions or developments changed your life, and how? * What was your father's occupation? Where did he work? * Did your mother work? Where? * Did you work? Where? * Did anyone in your family ever serve in the military? * Did anyone in your family ever hold a public office? * What was your favorite song? * Did anyone in your family play a musical instrument? * What were your family's favorite meals? Are there any special family recipes? * Were certain foods eaten or avoided on certain occasions? * Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper? * What kind of organizations did your family belong to (fraternal, charitable, scouting, etc.)? * What special skills do you have? * How did you come into your profession? * When did you move away from home? * Have you ever been married? If so, to whom? When? * Where did you meet your husband/wife? * Did you exchange any special gifts? * How long did you date before getting married? * Where did you get married? * Who participated in your wedding? * Did you have a reception? Was there music? What songs were played? * Do you have a copy of your wedding invitation? * Was there an announcement in the newspaper? Which paper?