Key Points:

Make it easy. Start with short 15-20 min sessions
Just ask questions!
Get them talking about things that are familiar and fun to discuss
Don’t be afraid to ask about sensitive topics
It’s easier with a little planning
Don’t procrastinate. Your recordings will be more precious than gold when they’re gone

Make it easy. Start with short 15-20 minute sessions.

The first time you interview your grandparents, you might want to keep it short. For example, if you have 15 or 20 minutes and grandma is in the mood for a little conversation, maybe start there. Or if granddad looks like he could use a break from the garden or the garage, by all means take him out of his element and ask him about his favourite childhood toy. The important thing is to create a habit of talking with your older relatives about their memories and their values.

If an interview session seems daunting at first, just keep it simple—this does not have to be a formal affair where you dust off the recorder, put on your most serious face and sit yourself down for an entire afternoon. If you can get two good stories out of them in 15 minutes each time you visit over the course of six months, that's incredible! Just remember: when they're ready to stop talking (or when they show signs that they are losing track) then it's best to change topics or make plans for another time.

Just ask questions!

When you're ready to start, sit down over a cup of tea or coffee – something that's conducive to conversation – and just ask questions. Don't come on too strong or put your grandparent in the position of feeling like they are being interrogated, but instead invite them to tell you all about their life. Ask open-ended questions such as "What was it like growing up in Chicago?" or "How did you meet Grandma/Grandpa?" You can also try starting with "Tell me about how you came to live here," or even, "Tell me stories from when I was young."

Just make sure that wherever you record the conversation is private and there won't be any interruptions. It's important that your grandparents feel comfortable sharing the parts of their lives they want to share, so make sure there are no distractions for them.

We can email you a list of questions to use:

Get them talking about things that are fun and easy to discuss - like childhood memories!

Talking about childhood can give you a stronger sense of where someone came from, what their interests were growing up, even how they felt about themselves. From there you can ask about more specific memories, like what their favourite food was or the best game they played with friends.

It's often the stories that don't seem important at first glance that can be some of the most interesting and unique pieces of family history. That's why it's important not just to focus on the famous people and memorable stories in your family, but to also collect stories about everyday lives.

When interviewing your grandparents, be sure to ask about different personal stories and experiences. Ask about how they've handled day-to-day challenges, what their favourite childhood games were, or what it was like to be a parent. These stories help capture a portrait of what everyday life was like for past generations—and can sometimes offer a surprising perspective on historical events or the passage of time.

Don't be afraid to ask about sensitive topics.

Don't be afraid to ask about sensitive topics. If family members seem reluctant to talk about certain topics, like war or politics, remind them that it's important for you to know how their lives were affected by these events.

Often, the people in your family are more willing to open up than you think they will be—and once they start talking, it can become hard for them to stop. And who knows? Maybe there are some things you didn't know about Grandpa's life before he met Grandma.

It's easier with a little planning.

You can get great results with some planning and preparation.

Get the right equipment. If you’re recording on your phone (which is easy to do), make sure it's set up so that your device’s microphone will pick up the conversation well. And be sure to charge your device beforehand!
Come prepared with questions or use a tool, like the StoryTiling app, that comes with pre-set questions and topics. As the interview progresses, you may think of other questions—and that's good! Just try not to interrupt once they've started telling a story.
Create a comfortable environment for yourselves: dim the lights; position yourself close by so you catch every word; put away any distractions. Experiment and find out what works best for you and your grandparents. A cup of tea can be helpful as well!

For more on how to record an interview with your smartphone, check out our resource.

Don't procrastinate. Your recordings will be more precious than gold when they're gone.

I can't stress this enough—if you think your grandparents are amazing and want to learn more about their lives, then start today!

Your grandparents have a lifetime’s worth of stories to tell. If you listen now, you’ll still have them around to ask the follow-up questions and clarify the details. But don’t wait too long—even if your grandparents are in good health, they won’t be around forever.

It’s heartbreaking when you realise that one day, no matter how much you want it, there will be no more home-cooked meals with Grandma or fishing trips with Grandpa. If you've video recorded your grandparents telling their stories, you'll be able to watch and listen to them over and over again.

Your recordings will be more precious than gold when they’re gone.

How do I capture my grandparents' life stories?