Every time I sit down to research family history, I feel as though I am entering into a time machine. If you love history, you can learn so much by discovering what your ancestors did to not only help create events in time, but how random bits of time eventually ended up creating you!

I have been curious about my ancestors all my life.  I was the kid who didn’t want to play outside when extended family got together. Instead, I really wanted to sit and listen to the family stories! I was so fortunate to have two sets of grandparents who I adored and left me a legacy of stories.

To begin your journey all you need to do is to listen. Pull out your phone and record interviews with grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. Here is a list of questions to get your relatives started. Although most relatives really don’t need any encouragement to talk about the past!

Ten Questions I Wish I Had Asked My Grandparents

1. How did you meet Grandma or Grandad?

2. What was school like for you as a kid?

3. Did you know your own grandparents? What were they like?

4. Do you know anything about where our family came from?

5. Is there a favorite story our family likes to tell?

6. Do you remember WWII, or other more recent war?

7. What changes have you seen in your lifetime and how did they impact you and your family?

8. Where did your family live when you were growing…