How well do you know your grandmas? They may live far away or with your family, but each plays a unique role in your life. Their stories will help you understand your grandmothers, your family, and yourself better.
Now is a great time to start, especially if your grandmas are still living. The best way to learn about them is to ask them questions. Record or write down their answers to preserve memories of them and form connections with them even after they’re gone. If they’ve already passed away, ask your family to share their memories of your grandma with you.
Questions to Ask Your Grandma
What questions can you ask your grandma about the past? Use these questions to spark a conversation with your grandma and learn more about her.
- What are some of your happiest memories?
- What regrets do you have that you would like to share?
- When and where were you born?
- How did your parents choose your name? Did you have any nicknames?
- What was your childhood like?
- What kinds of things did your family do together when you were young?
- Where did you go to school?
- What were your favorite subjects, and who were your favorite teachers?
- What was your childhood home like? Did you move around a lot?
- What did you do for fun as a child?
- Did you ever get into trouble?
- What did you learn from your mom or other women in your family?
- What do you remember about your parents, grandparents, and siblings? What were their names?
- What events in world history do you particularly remember, and how did they change your life? (Perhaps mention major wars, the COVID pandemic, or other events.)
- How did you meet Grandpa, and how did he propose?
- What was your relationship with Grandpa like, and why did you choose him?
- What can you tell me about your wedding? When and where were you married?
- What has changed during your life? What inventions during your lifetime have made a big difference to you?
- How has the role of women changed throughout your life?
- Where have you lived? What was your first house like?
- How did your life change when you had children?
- What was it like being pregnant?
- What are some of your favorite memories with your children?
- Whom have you worked for, and what jobs did you do?
- How has faith or religion played a role in your life?
- What were some of the most difficult times in your life, and how did you make it through them?
- What are your favorite holiday memories and traditions?
- What trips or vacations do you remember, and which ones were your favorite?
- What about your life would surprise me?
- What do you hope for your children and grandchildren? Do you have any advice for us?
- What kinds of activities or organizations did you participate in, such as sports, service, music, art, and so on?
- What types of clothes did you wear? Were you interested in stylish fashions?
- How has service impacted your life, either as the person serving or the person receiving service?
Questions for Children to Ask Grandma
Asking questions can help children get to know their grandparents and create meaningful memories. Finding common ground may be especially interesting for small children and older youth.
- Who were your friends, and what did you like to do with them?
- What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you get to do that?
- What was my mom or dad like as a child?
- Did you have a favorite toy when you were a child?
- What are your favorite things (colors, books, animals, and so on)?
- What do you do for fun now?
- What skills can you teach me?
How Do You Interview Your Grandma?
Recording your grandma’s story can keep her memory alive even after she has passed—for you and your family. Start by preparing a list of questions you would like to ask (such as the ones above). While you’re talking with your grandma, find a way to remember what she says. Here are some ideas.
- Record a video or a voice memo on your phone to capture stories and important memories.
- Write down your grandma’s stories as you hear them.
- Use the free FamilySearch Memories app to make and store audio recordings on a smartphone. You can share memories you add with family, but you can also make memories private on FamilySearch.org. You can explore how to set visibility options for your memories.
Once you’ve recorded your grandma’s stories, keep them safe. Making and preserving digital copies will protect these precious moments from accidental loss, natural disasters, or changes in technology.
You can save your notes or recordings in the cloud, and you can also save them in FamilySearch Memories. The Memories app makes it easy to save the memories that matter most to you and your family and share them with others.
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