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Interview Relatives


Visiting a relative to request information can be very rewarding. Ideally we want to gather as much Genealogy data as possible to enable us to further our study which should include any dates, names and places relating to our ancestors. To get the most from your visit it is wise to be prepared with questions. If you have a dictaphone to use this would free up time and let you spend more time speaking and listening rather than writing details.

Questions to Ask

  1. What is your full name?
  2. When and where were you born?
  3. When and where did you marry?
  4. What are the full names, dates and places of birth of your brothers and sisters?
  5. What schools were you and your brothers and sisters educated at?
  6. Did your family attend a church? If so what was the church name?
  7. What did your brothers and sisters do for a living?
  8. What were your parent's full names? Did they have nicknames?
  9. When and where were your parent's born?
  10. When and where did your parent's marry?
  11. Did your father serve in any of the armed forces?
  12. What was your father's occupation?
  13. When did your parents die and where are they buried? Do you know the causes of death?
  14. What are your parent's brother's and sister's names?
  15. What are your parent's parent's names?
  16. Do you know your parent's parent's places of origin?
  17. Do you know your parent's father's occupation?
  18. Do you have any photographs of your parents?
  19. Do you have copies of your parent's birth, marriage or death certificates?
  20. Did either of your parent's prepare a will?