When it comes to capturing your family’s stories, the right question can open a door to memories, moments, and meaning that might otherwise stay hidden. A good family history interview isn’t about checking off a list—it’s about helping someone feel seen, heard, and ready to share.

Whether you’re interviewing a grandparent, a parent, or reflecting on your own life, this guide offers thoughtful, open-ended prompts to spark storytelling.

Why questions matter

Memories don’t always surface on command. Often, it takes a nudge—a word, a photo, or a question—to bring them back. The best interview questions create space for emotion, reflection, and detail. They’re open enough to invite stories, but specific enough to keep things grounded.

Tayle uses this same approach. Our AI interviewer gently prompts users with questions tailored to their life stage and story so the conversation feels natural and meaningful—not like a survey.

Tips for asking great questions

There are many ways to document a family member’s story. Choose the format that feels most natural and accessible:

• Start broad, then go deeper. Open the door with general topics, then follow up with details.
• Don’t rush. Give time for thinking and remembering—silence is part of the process.
• Follow the energy. If someone lights up on a topic, lean in. That’s where the good stuff is.
• Capture the emotion. Ask how a moment felt, not just what happened.
• Be ready to go off-script. The best moments are often unexpected.

Essential family history interview questions

Here are some of our favorite questions to guide a rich conversation. You don’t need to ask them all—just let the flow take you where it wants to go.

Childhood

• What’s one of your earliest memories?
• What was your neighborhood like growing up?
• Who were you closest to in your family?
• What were holidays or birthdays like?

Family & Relationships

• What are some values your family lived by?
• Who had the biggest impact on who you became?
• What’s a favorite memory you have with a sibling or parent?

Work & Life Lessons

• What was your very first job?
• What did you want to be when you grew up?
• What’s a moment when you felt really proud of yourself?

Love & Partnerships

• How did you meet your partner or spouse?
• What was your wedding like?
• What’s something you’ve learned about love over the years?

Challenges & Resilience

• Was there a time when you felt like giving up? What helped you through it?
• How did you handle hard times, like losing someone close or facing a big change?
• What advice would you give someone going through a hard season?

Traditions & Culture

• Are there traditions or rituals that meant a lot to your family?
• What foods, music, or holidays were part of your cultural upbringing?
• What do you hope continues in future generations?

Legacy & Reflection

• What are you most proud of in your life?
• What do you hope people remember about you?
• If you could leave a message for your grandchildren or great-grandchildren, what would it be?

Bonus: Use prompts between sessions

Sometimes a story doesn’t come all at once—and that’s okay. Tayle includes optional prompts between interview sessions to keep memories flowing. You can also use old photos, objects, or letters as memory triggers to keep conversations fresh and grounded.

Make it your own

Remember: this isn’t a test. It’s a conversation. Feel free to mix in lighthearted questions, unexpected detours, and laughter. What matters most is that the person sharing feels valued—and that their story is captured with care.

Tayle is built to make that process easier, whether you’re guiding a loved one through their memories or telling your own story with support. Thoughtful questions are just the start.