20 Conversation Starters for Your Next Genealogy Interview

Sometimes you’ll have the luxury of planning a genealogy interview in advance—complete with questions, a recorder, and a quiet room. But other times, the best family history moments happen unexpectedly—while washing dishes together, sitting on the porch, or flipping through an old photo album.

Even if you can’t prepare every detail, you can keep a mental “short list” of questions you’d love to ask when the opportunity strikes. The goal isn’t to grill anyone—it’s to spark memories, share stories, and uncover details you never knew.

If you also want to make sure you capture the conversation clearly, check out my post on choosing the right microphone for genealogy interviews for tips on portable, easy-to-use recording options.

Here are 20 conversation starters to help you capture those moments.

Family Origins & Childhood

What’s the earliest memory you have of your childhood home?
Who were your closest friends growing up, and what did you like to do together?
What was your favorite meal or treat as a kid?
Did you have any pets, and what were they like?
Were there any family traditions you especially looked forward to each year?

School Days & Growing Up

What was school like for you? Did you have a favorite subject or teacher?
How did you usually get to school, and what did you carry your books in?
Did you ever play sports, join clubs, or have hobbies you loved?
Were there any big local or world events that you remember clearly as a child or teen?
What was your very first job, and how did you get it?

Family Life & Relationships

How did you meet your spouse or partner?
What was your wedding day like—or if you didn’t marry, a special celebration you remember?
What were your parents or grandparents like when you were young?
Did your family speak another language at home?
What is one family story you’ve heard over and over—but still love?

Everyday Life & Personal Interests

What was a typical day like for you when you were in your 20s?
Did your family grow or raise any of your own food?
Was there a piece of advice from a parent or grandparent that stayed with you?
What’s something you owned that you wish you still had?
If you could relive one year of your life, which would it be and why?

Tips for Using These Questions

Be flexible. Let one answer naturally lead to the next question.
Listen more than you talk. You’ll often hear the best stories if you don’t rush to the next question.
Record when possible. Even a phone voice memo can preserve priceless details and the sound of your relative’s voice.
Follow the threads. If someone lights up talking about a certain topic, dig deeper—it might lead to a story you’ve never heard.