15 Questions to Ask Your Family Members

The stories your family members carry are irreplaceable. Once they're gone, those memories—the details about family heirlooms, the stories of how your family came to be, the small moments that shaped generations—are gone forever.

The time to gather the stories is now - and it can be FUN!

About Family Objects

1. "What's the oldest thing in our family that you know of?"

This often leads to fascinating stories about objects you didn't even know existed.

2. "Do you remember anything your parents or grandparents made with their own hands?"

Handmade objects often have the richest stories attached to them.

3. "Is there something in your home that you would never part with? Why?"

The "why" is where the real story lives.

4. "What happened to [specific object] that I remember from childhood?"

Sometimes objects disappear without explanation. Now's the time to ask.

5. "Did anyone in our family have a special skill or craft?"

This might reveal talents and traditions you never knew about.

About Family History

6. "What was your childhood home like?"

Details about daily life provide context for understanding family objects.

7. "What's something your parents always said that you still remember?"

These phrases often get passed down alongside heirlooms.

8. "What was the hardest time your family went through?"

Objects from difficult periods often carry the most meaning.

9. "What's a family tradition that we've lost over the years?"

These traditions often involved specific objects or rituals.

10. "Who was the most interesting relative you knew?"

The answer usually comes with stories about objects they owned or made.

Don't Wait

The biggest regret people have about family history is waiting too long. Schedule that visit. Make that call. Ask those questions.

The stories are waiting to be told.

Document what you learn with &Kept—your family's digital heritage keeper.