Oral History Interview Questions (50 Prompts for Families)

7 min readPrompts

These oral history interview questions help you capture family memories, life lessons, and unforgettable stories.

Quick start: 10 questions that always work

  1. What is your earliest memory?
  2. Who influenced you the most growing up?
  3. What was your first job?
  4. How did you meet your spouse?
  5. What was a turning point in your life?
  6. What traditions mattered most in your family?
  7. What are you most proud of?
  8. What challenges shaped you?
  9. What do you want future generations to remember?
  10. What advice would you give your younger self?

50 oral history prompts (copy/paste)

  • Describe the home you grew up in.
  • Who were your closest friends as a child?
  • What world events had the biggest impact on you?
  • What family recipes or traditions should be preserved?
  • What was the happiest day of your life?

Record answers with the oral history app built for families, then organize them into chapters and create a family history book.

More articles on oral history, family stories, and keepsake books.

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