Prompts for Documenting a Life Story

Questions to help frame the life story:

Basic Information
Written – vital stats
  • Full name:
  • Birth place:
  • Birth date:
  • Parents names:
Written questions for intro to life story.
  • What does your name mean?
  • How/Where: home or hospital, anything special about your birth?
  • What do you remember about your parents growing up? When did they get married? How old were they when they married?
  • Siblings details – number, names, birth and death dates
Early Years
Early years – Family
  1. My earliest childhood memory is . . .
  2. As a child others described me as   . . . ., I saw myself as . . . .
  3. Some of my mother’s / father’s traits that I admired or appreciated were . . .
  4. The house I lived in was. . . . My neighborhood was  . . .
  5. Family meals were like  . . .  while I was growing up
  6. Special holidays celebrated were  . . .   Some family traditions . . .
  7. I got into trouble when . . .  (Or I should have gotten in trouble when . . . )
  8. A favorite time with my family when I was growing up was . . . (can be in a routine schedule or vacation or both).
  9. My jobs/chores/family responsibilities included . . .
  10. I hated doing. . . . but it served me well as an adult
  11. Pets?
  12. My parents jobs?
  13. My best friend while I was growing up was. . . .  This person appealed to me because (characteristics, common interests etc.)
  14. Favorite things to do with friends?
  15. Something dangerous or something I was not supposed to do with friends was
  16. A memorable birthday celebration growing up was . . .
Early years – Education
  1. What I most remember about school is  . . . (did you live in a different place in school than where you were born?)
  2. Favorite subject? Least favorite?
  3. Favorite movie/song; actor/actress/celebrity?
  4. Did you play sports?
  5. When I was young I wanted to have this career/job
  6. In college I pursued . . . (Bach/Master etc.)
  7. Favorite memories about college?
  8. Did you have a mentor or role model?
Middle Years
Middle Years – Family
  1. What I remember about my extended family – aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
  2. My parents supported me in these ways
  3. The biggest arguments with my parents were
  4. Experiences/relationships while looking for love
  5. How I met my spouse? Details of marriage.
  6. Births of my children
  7. Funny incidents about my children
  8. Pets?
  9. Memorable vacations/reunions/gatherings
  10. Some things I loved doing with my family
  11. Health concerns
  12. Difficulty faced by my family
  13. Lonely or hard time for me
  14. I was a good parent/mentor/friend in these ways
  15. I could have been a better parent in these ways
Middle Years – Friends
  1. Good friends as an adult
  2. Activities/Sports I enjoyed doing/watching
  3. Funny/Embarrassing moments
  4. How I entertained
  5. Over the years I learned that true friendship means
Middle Years – Education
  1. This book/lecture/movie etc. had a strong impact on me
  2. After my formal education I continued learning by
  3. New skills I learned (easy ones, difficult ones)
  4. Something I was able to teach well to others
Middle Years – Work
  1. Career – companies, org, liked/disliked
  2. If you could have changed professions what would you have done
  3. Biggest mistake
  4. How you balanced family and work and play
  5. What are you most proud of workwise
Middle Years – World
  • What did you do to keep your health good
  • Favorite movies/tv shows/actors etc
  • Fashion/hairstyles
  • Travel experiences
Later Years
Later Years – Family
  1. My parents felt strongly about passing on these lessons
  2. A person that had a significant impact on me was (and why)
  3. My family supported me by
  4. This friend became like a member of my family in my later years
  5. My siblings and cousins did … as adults
  6. Special times with grandchildren
  7. Advice to grandchildren
  8. Strengths and characteristics of my children
  9. Best and hardest parts of marriage?
  10. Deaths in my family that affected me
  11. I hope my family will remember this about me
  12. Living a fulfilling life includes
  13. Words of wisdom for future generations
Later Years – Friends
  1. Good friends in my later years
  2. Fun times with friends
Later Years – Education
  1. Something new I learned in my later years
  2. Highlights of new experiences/travel
  3. Cultural arts I enjoy
Later Years – Work
  1. Retirement details – When? From where?
  2. One thing I learned over the years about managing money
  3. Favorite meals or recipes
  4. My health
  5. Hobbies/activities?
  6. In hindsight I might have done … differently?
  7. Looking back at my life’s work, my most prized accomplishments are …
Later Years – World
  1. Favorite tv shows/movies etc.
  2. I admire these people for making a difference in the world
  3. My hope for the world