Just A Few Ideas Of What To Write About.......
Tell about your favorite pet –
what kind of animal? when did you get
him/her? Why do you
like them?
What’s your favorite thing to do in the summertime? Why?
Tell about a trip your family
took that you particularly enjoyed. Where did
you go? What did you see?
What’s your favorite movie? Why do you like it? What’s it about?
Tell something you enjoyed doing with your Grandma or Grandpa.
What is the best Christmas
present you received? What is the best one
you gave?
What is your favorite thing to play at the park?
If you could have your favorite dinner for your birthday, what would it be?
Tell all about your favorite friend and why they are special to you.
What is your best and worst
subject in school? What do and don’t you
like about them?
If you could have any animal
as a pet, what kind would you choose and
why?
Write something nice about your family that they do that makes you happy.
Tell your favorite joke, or about something that makes you laugh!
What is a favorite board game or computer game and why do you like it?
If you could watch a video
over and over, what would it be and why?
What’s it
about?
Tell about the house you
live in. Have you lived anywhere else. If so do
you remember the addresses,
phone numbers?
Tell about a special Birthday party you've had? Given? Or been to?
How do you like being the
older, middle, or youngest child. Does it have
any
particular advantages or
disadvantages?
Who is your favorite teacher?
Why? Can you remember and tell about a
special teacher?
What are you frightened of?
What can you remember about the day you were baptized?
Describe your favorite clothes?
What kind of music do you like? What is your favorite song and why?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Do you have a bicycle? What is it like?
What instrument do you wish you could play and why?
What would you give yourself
if you had all the money in the world?
What would you give your
family?
Where do you go to school, what grade are you in, who is your teacher?
What is your room like?
Do you share it with someone? What makes it
special to
you?
Describe a typical day during the school year.
What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate it?
Have you ever been sick, what made you feel better?
What is the most adventuresome thing you have ever done?
Write a want ad that best describes you if you were for sale!
Tell about your favorite Aunt or Uncle.
Describe your perfect spring day – what do you like to do outside?
Describe the perfect autumn day and what activities you enjoy.
Describe the perfect winter day.
Tell about the most wonderful thing that ever happened to you?
What is your favorite Saturday activity?
Tell about your dad’s job and/or your grandpa’s.
Tell about a frustrating experience you've had.
Describe your cooking skills and your favorite thing to cook.
What is your favorite color and why?
List each of your Aunts and Uncles. Tell one thing about each of them.
What is your advice to those younger than you.
Where do your grandparents
live? What are their homes like? Do they
have
a certain smell or look
or feel?
What do you want to be when you grow up? What will you be doing?
How many are in your family?
Do you wish you had more brothers or
sisters
and why?
List all the costumes you
have worn or characters you have been for
Halloween.
Tell the things your parents
have told you that you did when you were a
baby.
Tell what you know about the day your were born.
Write down your favorite scripture story.
Who are some of my favorite people? Why?
Who am I closest to in my immediate family and why?
What are my goals and dreams?
What do I look like?
Who is my best friend? What is she/he like?
Who are some of my "school friends" and what do we do together?
When was I the most proud
of myself? and when were my parents most
proud
of me?
Have I ever stood up for
what I believe, even when it was very hard? Tell
about it.
What are some of my jobs at home?
Have I ever written a story,
poem, or song I would like to add to my
journal?
If I could change any part of myself, what would it be?
What is the weirdest dream I've ever had?
Do I like school? Why?
What is my favorite sport
or activity to do at recess?
What are some events that
are happening in the world right now?
(Include newspaper clippings).
Do I enjoy my everyday life? What's it like?
What's my favorite Christmas memory?
What are my favorite family holiday traditions?
Where is my most favorite place to go, what is it like?
Describe each member of your family.
What is my full name and
who am I named after? If I could change it,
what would I call myself?
What is my favorite scripture
and what are my thoughts or feelings about
it?
What do I want to do after I get out of school?
Did I have a blanket or a favorite toy? Tell about it.
Write about feeling loved and by whom.
What are the things I love and admire most about my mother?
What are the things I love and admire about my father?
If I could live anywhere, where would it be? Why?
Write about something you are
grateful for. Make a list and count your
blessings.
Write about how a prayer
was answered.
For Children:
Draw a picture of your favorite pet or animal.
Draw a picture of your favorite thing to do in the summertime.
Draw a picture of your favorite place to go.
Draw a picture of your favorite thing to do with Grandma or Grandpa.
Draw a picture of what you
want for Christmas or what you are giving
your Mom.
Draw a picture of what you play with at the park.
Draw a funny picture about something that makes you laugh!
Draw a picture of the house you live in.
Draw a picture of your favorite birthday present.
Draw a picture of your favorite toy.
Draw a picture of your family.
Draw a picture of anything that you are afraid of.
Draw a picture of what you
would buy if you had all the money in the
world.
Draw a picture of your favorite outfit to wear.
Draw a picture of your room and what makes it special.
Draw a picture of your favorite holiday.
Draw a picture using your favorite color.
Draw a picture of what you want to be when you grow up.
Draw a picture of your favorite activity to do outside.
Draw a floor plan of your home and label the rooms.
Draw a picture of yourself dressed in your Halloween costume.
Draw a picture of yourself as a baby.
Draw a picture of your favorite scripture story.
Draw a picture of yourself.
What is your full name and why were you named it?
Were you named after somebody else?
Did you have a nickname as you were growing up?
If you did, what was it and why did they call you that?
Have you had other nicknames as an adult?
What do family members call you now?
Where were you born and when?
Do you remember hearing your grandparents describe their lives? What
did they say?
Do you remember your great-grandparents? What do you know about them?
Who was the oldest person you can remember in your family as a child?
What do you remember about them?
Do you remember your family discussing world events and politics?
Was there a chore you really hated doing as a child?
What would you consider to be the most important inventions that have
been made during your lifetime?
How is the world now different from what it was like when you were a
child?
What kinds of books did you like to read?
Do you remember having a favorite nursery rhyme or bedtime story? What
was it?
Do you ever remember not having enough food to eat because times were
hard for your family?
What were your favorite toys and what were they like?
What were your favorite childhood games?
What were your schools like?
How did you get to school?
What was your favorite subject in school and why?
What subject in school was always the easiest for you?
What was your least favorite subject in school and why?
Who was your favorite teacher and why were they special?
How do your fellow classmates from school remember you best?
What school activities and sports did you participate in?
Did you and your friends have a special hang-out where you liked to
spend time?
Where was it and what did you do there?
Were you ever given any special awards for your studies or school
activities?
How many years of education have you completed?
Do you have a college degree? If so, what was your field of study?
Did you get good grades?
Did you like school?
What did you like the most and the least about it?
What did you usually wear to school? Describe it.
Were there any fads during your youth that you remember vividly?
How old were you when you started dating?
Do you remember your first date? Describe the circumstances.
Name a good friend that you have known for the longest period of time?
How many years have you been friends?
Has there ever been anyone in your life that you would consider to me
your kindred spirit or soul mate?
If so, who were they and why did you feel a special bond to them?
How did you meet the person that you would later marry? Describe them?
Do you remember where you went on the first date with your spouse?
How long did you know them before you got married?
Describe your wedding proposal.
When and where did you get married?
Describe your wedding ceremony. Who was there?
Did you have a honeymoon? If so, where did you go?
How would you describe your spouse? What do (did) you admire most
about them?
How long have you been married (or were you married)?
What wise advice would you give to a grandchild on their wedding day?
How did you find out that you were going to be a parent for the first
time?
How many children did you have all together?
What were their names, birth dates and birthplaces?
Do you remember anything that your children did when they were small
that really amazed you?
What is one of the most unusual things that one of your children did
regularly when they were small?
What was the funniest thing you can remember that one of your children
said or did?
If you had it to do all over again, would you change the way you
raised your family? How?
What did you find most difficult about raising children?
What did you find most rewarding about being a parent?
Did you spoil any of your children? How?
Were you a strict or lenient parent?
Did you find that you had to treat each of your children differently?
If so, why?
How did you first hear that you were a grandparent and how did you
feel about it?
What advice do you have for your children and grandchildren?
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
What was your first job?
What kinds of jobs have you had?
How did you decide on your career?
Did you make enough money to live comfortably?
How long did you have to work each day at your job?
How old were you when you retired?
What were the hardest choices that you ever had to make? Do you feel
like you made the right choices?
Who was the person that had the most positive influence on your life?
Who were they and what did they do?
Is there a person that really changed the course of your life by
something that they did?
Who were they and what did they do?
Do you remember someone saying something to you that had a big impact
on how you lived your life?
What was it?
How would you describe yourself politically?
Are you Conservative or Liberal and why?
What wars have been fought during your lifetime? How did you feel
about them?
If you served in the military, when and where did you serve and what
were your duties?
If you served in the military, were you ever injured in the line of
duty?
What were the circumstances and what were your injuries?
What U.S. President have you admired the most and why?
As you see it, what are the biggest problems that face our nation and
how do you think they could be solved?
How tall are you?
What color was your hair as a young child and then as an adult?
What color are your eyes?
Where have you lived as an adult? List the places and the years that
you lived there.
Why are you living where you are today?
Do you wish you lived somewhere else (If so, where would it be)?
Describe your general health.
What major illnesses or health problems do you remember having?
Do you have any health problems that are considered hereditary in
nature? If so, what are they?
What do you do regularly for exercise?
Do you have any bad habits now or in the past? What were they?
Have you ever been the victim of a crime? What happened?
Have you ever been in a serious accident?
Has anyone ever saved your life? Describe.
Have you ever saved anyone else's life? Describe.
Have you ever been hospitalized? If so, what for?
Have you ever had surgery? If so, what for?
If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
Have you ever had an experience that you would consider to be
super-natural or psychic? Did you ever know something was going to happen
before it actually did? What was it?
What do you usually dream about?
What church, if any, do you attend regularly?
Describe your religious beliefs.
Do you believe in an after life?
What was the most stressful experience that you ever lived through?
What helped you get through it?
What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you personally?
What kinds of musical instrument(s) have you learned to play?
Would you consider yourself creative?
What things have you made that others have enjoyed?
How would you describe your sense of humor?
What is the funniest practical joke you ever played on anyone?
What activities have you especially enjoyed as an adult?
What are your hobbies?
What did you like to do when you were not working?
What is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to you?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Have you ever met any famous people? Describe what happened.
What organizations and groups have you belonged to?
Have you ever won any special awards or prizes as an adult? What were
they for?
Describe a time and place when you remember feeling truly at peace and
happy to be alive.
Where were you and what were you doing?
What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited and what was it
like?
What is the longest trip that you have ever gone on? Where did you go?
What has been your favorite vacation? Where did you go and why was it
special?
What was the favorite place you ever visited and what was it like?
What pets have you had?
Do you have a favorite story about a pet? What is it?
Is there anything you have always wanted to do, but haven't?
FAVORITES
What is your favorite style of music?
What is your favorite musical instrument?
Who is your favorite musical group?
What is your favorite song?
Who is your favorite singer?
Who is your favorite movie star?
What is your favorite movie?
Who is your favorite artist?
What is your favorite painting?
Who is your favorite poet?
What is your favorite poem?
What is your favorite TV program?
Who is your favorite author?
What is your favorite book?
What is your favorite season?
What is your favorite tree?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite holiday?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite sport?
Who is your favorite athlete?
What is your favorite animal?
What is your favorite meal?
What is your favorite fruit?
What is your favorite vegetable?
What is your favorite candy?
What is your favorite cookie?
What is your favorite drink?
What is your favorite restaurant?
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
What is your favorite board game?
What is your favorite card game?
1. How old are you now?
2. When were you born?
3. Where were you born?
4. Where was your mother born?
5. Do you know what her maiden name was?
6. Do you know where your mother's mother (your grandmother on
your mother's side) was born?
7. How about your mother's father? Where was your grandfather
(on your mother's side) born?
8. What country did your mother's ancestors come from?
9. What part of the country did your mother's ancestors come
from?
10. Where was your father born?
11. Do you know where your father's mother (your grandmother on
your father's side) was born?
12. What about your father's father (your grandfather on your
father's side)? Do you know where he was born or where he came
from?
13. Do you remember hearing any stories about why your
ancestors-either on your father's or mother's side of the
family--came to America?
14. What kind of person was your grandmother? What did she look
like? How many children did she have?
15. How many aunts and uncles do you have on your mother's side?
On your father's side?
16. What were some of your grandmother's best qualities? Her
worst qualities?
17. Did your grandmother have some special talents?
18. How important was your grandmother to you? Do you think she
had any effect or influence on you?
19. Do you know what your grandmother died of?
20. Where is your grandmother buried?
21. What kind of work did your grandfather do?
22. Will you describe your grandfather? What did he look like?
What kind of personality did he have? Did he influence you in any
way? How?
23. Are you like him in any way?
24. Do you know how he died? When did he die? Where is he buried?
25. Can you tell me a story about either your grandmother or
grandfather that would characterize her--perhaps something she
did, or the way she reacted to something that happened to her or
some member of her family?
26. How did your grandmother and grandfather meet?
27. Were there any family heirlooms/property, etc. that have been
handed down from generation to generation? What are they? Where
are they now?
28. Can you think of anything else about your grandparents?
29. Can you tell me about any "black sheep" in the family?
30. Are there any stories about famous or infamous relatives on
either side of the family?
31. Has anybody in the family ever had any unusual psychic
abilities or special powers (fortune telling, second sight, ESP,
etc.)?
32. Have any of those special powers been passed on in the
family?
33. What about your parents? Did they ever tell you how they met
and fell in love? Tell me that story.
34. How and when did your parents decide to get married?
35. What did your parents do together before they got married?
What kinds of places did they go for entertainment, for social
life?
36. When and where was your mother born? Your father?
37. Where did they grow up?
38. Did your mother or father ever tell you what their childhood
was like?
39. What did your mother do before she was married? Did she work?
What kind of work did she do?
40. Was your mother previously married before she married your
father?
41. How many children did your mother have?
42. Can you give me the names of your mother's children?
43. What year was each of your mother's children born?
44. Who is the oldest child? The youngest?
45. Can you describe your mother to me? What did she look like?
46. If you can remember the way your mother looked, what is she
doing now, in your thoughts? How do you picture her now?
47. Did your mother or father have any birthmarks or scars? Do
you know how they got the scars?
48. Can you tell me a story about your mother--something she did
or the way she was--that you remember most?
49. Did your mother have any hobbies? Was she artistic? Musical?
Did she sew or have any other "craft" hobbies? What were her
hobbies?
50. Did your mother work outside of the home? What kind of work
did she do?
51. Was your mother a good cook? What was her favorite meal? What
meal did she make that was your favorite? Can you cook as well as
your mother?
52. Did either of your parents read to you when you were small?
Did they tell you bedtime stories?
53. Was either of your parents actively involved in the
community?
54. What skills or talents did you learn from either your mother
or father?
55. What important lesson or lessons did either one teach you?
56. Tell me about your mother's temper? Did she ever lose her
temper that you remember? Why did she lose it? How did it finally
end up?
57. Did your mother or father have a good sense of humor?
58. Can you remember when your mother or father cried? Why did
they cry?
59. What is the saddest event you can remember?
60. Do you think you inherited some of your mother's emotional
qualities? Which ones?
61. Tell me how you are like your mother? Your father?
62. How was your mother's health, generally?
63. Was she ever severely ill or injured? Tell me about it.
64. What religion was your mother raised in? Your father?
65. What do you think was the greatest tragedy your mother or
father suffered in their lives?
66. What was your mother's attitude about premarital sex, or
teenage sexuality? How did she feel about teenagers in general?
67. How were young men and women expected to behave when you were
a teenager?
68. What do you think your mother or father would say about
today's teenagers?
69. Did either of your parents ever talk to you about sex
(sex-education)?
70. When did your mother die? Your father?
71. What cemetery are they buried in?
72. Did your mother or father ever say how they felt about death
or dying? What was their attitude about it?
73. Tell me about your parents' education (grandparents, etc.).
How much education did they have? Where did they go to school?
Can you remember if they ever said anything about their
experiences at school?
74. What kinds of dreams of the future did your mother/father
have? Did any of their dreams come true?
75. Did your parents/grandparents live through any wars? Which
one? Was your father or grandfather in the military during the
war? Did either one ever fight in a battle? Where? Were they
ever wounded? Were any of your ancestors killed in battle?
76. Tell me a story about your father, something that stands out
clearly in your mind.
77. What are you thinking right now? Happy thoughts or sad?
78. Was your father or grandfather physically strong? Did either
of them like to work outdoors? Did either of them have hobbies?
What did they teach you, that you can remember?
79. Did your father or grandfather have lots of friends? Did they
like lots of people around?
80. Describe your surroundings when you were a child? Can you
picture the kitchen?
81. Did your parents or grandparents believe in an afterlife?
Were they worried about it?
82. Tell me about your uncles or aunts. What are their names? Can
you tell me what years they were born? What do you remember most
about them? Does any ONE stand out in your memory? Why?
83. Who was your favorite cousin? Why?
84. Are you in touch with any of your aunts, uncles, cousins?
Where do they live? How can I get in touch with them?
85. How many sisters and brothers do you have? What are their
names? What years were they born? Did any of them die in
childhood? Did any of them die when adults? What did they die of?
86. Did you have a favorite brother or sister? Why "favorite"?
87. What was the major news event of your life? How did you feel
about it? What influence did it have on you?
88. What political party did your parents or grandparents belong
to? Did they vote?
89. Do you remember your grandparents' parents (your
great-grandparents)? What were their names? How old were they
when they died? Where are they buried?
90. Did your parents or grandparents speak a foreign language?
What language?
RECIPE FOR MY LIFE HISTORY
Combine a generous slice of your life history, a dash of nostalgia, several cups of
facts and feelings and 104 deliciously interesting questions. Draw one slip of
paper. Take a few minutes to enjoy the memories. Paste or write the question at
the top of a blank page. Fill in your answer. Don't worry about your handwriting or
spelling - just tell your story. This product was prepared to preserve your life as
a message. Enjoy the scrumptious, home-made memories that celebrate something
very important - YOU!
The strips to cut apart and place in the jar are:
1.Tell something
about each of your children, their personalities, their
talents,
traits,
that make them different and special.
2.Describe a favorite
vacation of your married years.
3.Tell about home
cures or old wives tales, hiccups, toothaches, earaches,
arthritis.
4.Where were you
and what were you doing the day the wall came down in
Germany
or the coup in USSR or Dec. 7th - World War II started or ended
- pres.
Kennedy
5.Describe your
wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, suit etc., if male.
6.Write a description
of your husband or wife.
7.Tell about retirement
- when, where, what will you do with youur time?
8.Describe your
mother's wedding dress - what do you know about her
wedding?
9.Where did you
live as a child - town, country, suburb, etc.?
10.What is your greatest
joy, your greatest sorrow?
11.Do you have a favorite
author why? who? Tell about your favorite books as a
child
- as an adult.
12.What do you feel has
been the most significant world events that has taken
place
in your lifetime and why?
13.Describe the most serious
illness or accident that you have had.
14.What is your favorite
book and what do books mean to you.
15.Describe your yard
as a child - did you help with the yard work? What are
your
memories --- Draw a diagram if you can.
16.Tell about Family Reunions.
17.Tell about your teen-age
social life - your friends, dances, dating,
outings,
church
functions etc.--
18.What would you like
to be remembered for?
19.Describe your 1st home
as a young couple.
20.How did your father
spend his time supporting his family?
21.Tell about exciting
experiences in young women, scouting or whatever.
22.Tell about your life
as the children left home - new interests, what did
you do
with
the extra time -- new employment, moves, hobbies, etc.
23.Tell about handed-down
talents, foods, clothespin dolls, willow whistles,
pottery,
quilting, whittling, meat drying etc.
24.What lessons did you
take as a child - did you carry any over into
adulthood?
25.What were the favorite
places to go with your family when you were young?
26.Tell about any ancestors
that you know about - name dates, etc. for
historical
purposes
and any stories about them.
27.Tell about anniversaries,
celebrations, trips, gifts.
28.What were your fears,
expectations, anticipation about getting married?
29.Tell about a special
date you had with a boy/girl friend or your fiancé.
30.What is your mother's
best trait? Worst? = the traits you share.
31.What is your father's
best trait? Worst? = the traits you share.
32.One word on how to
live successfully.
33.How do you feel about
winning? Losing?
34.Tell a courtship story
about your parents, how they met etc... Tell the
same
35.about your courtship.
36.Describe a favorite
childhood friend and something you did with her or him.
37.Tell about your grandchildren
- how many- how did you feel about beingg a
grandparent?
38.Have you met or worked
with famous people? Who - Where- etc.
39.How did you become
engaged?
40.What is the most wonderful
thing that ever happened to you and the worst?
41.What is your child-rearing
philosophy?
42.Describe your Sundays
as a mother/father or as a child.
43.What can frighten you
the most and why?
44.Describe your conversion
to the gospel.
45.Do you wish you had
more sisters or brothers, and why?
46.Tell about your favorite
aunt.
47.What is the most exciting
place that you have ever been to and why?
48.What was your worst,
really embarrassing moment?
49.What games did you
play as a child - inside and outside?
50.Where did your Grandparents
live? What was their home like? Did it have a
certain
smell or look?
51.Tell about your favorite
uncle.
52.Did you have a close
relationship with your grandparents = tell about it.
53.Write your testimony
of life - marriage - the gospel.
54.Did you have a bicycle
and what was it like?
55.Tell how, when, where
you learned to drive and any memorable experiences.
56.Tell about each of
your children's names, birth date, where, doctors,
circumstances
surrounding the birth - raising them in the home - problems,
joys
etc.
57.How did you like being
the oldest, youngest or middle child? What were the
advantages
or disadvantages?
58.Tell about a frustrating
experience that you have had with a car.
59.What is your advice
to those younger than you?
60.Were you ever in a
drama, speech, sports, pep or glee club? Tell about it.
61.Did you and your father
share any interests together - what and why?
62.What is your favorite
scripture and why?
63.Describe a childhood
Christmas.
64.Descirbe a typical
day in elementary school.
65.What did you do when
you were a child that got you in the most trouble and
how
did your parents handle it?
66.Tell about your first
crush.
67.What church callings
have you had and which did you enjoy the most?
68.Did you go camping?
Tell about your experiences.
69.How did you feel about
school?
70.Do you remember any
of your four grandparents? Any greats? What were
their
names? Any memories that you have.
71.Tell about your mother:
personality, characteristics, stature, coloring,
talents,
temperament,
family stories about her, her role in your home, etc..
72.Do you have a favorite
General Authority? Who and why?
73.What do you fantasize
about doing or being?
74.What is your personal
secret of happiness?
75.Describe a perfect
spring day and activities on that day?
76.What is the most important
lesson, message, or advice that you have learned
that
you might pass on to others?
77.Thinking back was there
a teacher who had a great influence on you?
78.Tell about your own
family traditions: Christmas, birthdays, graduation,
4th
of July,
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Mothers or Fathers Day,
weddings,
funerals, hunting etc.
79.Describe a childhood
birthday.
80.How did you become
engaged?
81.What personality trait
do you admire and why?
82.Did you have a favorite
TV, radio, program as a child? Tell about it.
83.Did you go to college
or have vocational training - where or when?
84.Did you have a childhood
hideout - tell about it.
85.Tell about a favorite
trip or vacation.
86.What is your secret
for good health?
87.Describe a childhood
Christmas.
88.Did it snow much when
you were a child - tell something about it, what did
you
do.?
89.Describe getting a
Christmas tree as a child, when did you put it up and
decorate
it?
90.Tell about your civic
or political activities.
91.Write about some places
you went with your father.
92.Write about some places
that you went with your mother.
93.What do you think about
movies - what is your favorite movie and why?
94.If you could be an
animal, which one would you choose and why?
95.Describe a typical
day during your Jr. High years..
96.What kind of extra-curricular
activities did you participate in at school?
97.Tell about the houses
you lived in childhood - addresses, phone #'s, etc..
98.What do you think brings
good or bad luck?
99.Tell about all the
places you have worked.
100.Describe your wedding
day.
101.What are your food
preferences and how did they come about?
102.How did your mother
spend her time?
103.Where you responsible
for household chores? What were they? Which did
you
enjoy most/ least?
104.What are your most
deeply and imbedded values?
