Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know of a really good website where I could download a question sheet to guide a friend gather her thoughts on her family before I embark on tracing her familt history. She is visiting me from Shetland and has no internet, so I need to get as much information as possible now, before she returns over the border. If necessary I will make up my own questionnaire but wondered if there were any already online. I have done a Google search but nothing very comprehensive has appeared. It seems silly to reinvent the wheel. I am so annoyed as I'm sure I have seen a really good one in one of the family history magazines, but now for the life of me, can't find it. Jackie

Not sure what happened to my url, I'll try again if not I'll send you a message. http://www.heritagequest.*com*/groupsheets/index.html remove asterisk

I think that is just a family group sheet and not a questionaire, Pauline. You can print off family group sheets from the homepage of GenesReunited, or the LDS site. Kath. x

Thanks folk. Url isn't working for me either however. Will have to keep looking. Jackie

I have no problems with finding family group sheets etc. I really just want a question/answer sheet that leaves no stone unturned with things like apprenticeships/army record/ distant Aunt Gertrude's crossed eyes etc. I'm sure to forget something if I devise my own and kick myself once my friend has returned home.Jackie

The best I've seen was in a book called 'Who was your Granny's Granny' (or words to that effect) by Paul Blake and Audrey Collins. It was good because it did ask those questions which flesh out the bones. If your friend has bits and pieces about the house, asking her in advance of her visit if she has any of the following might start to jog her memory. 1) Personal background: a) Photographs b) Portraits c) Newspaper cuttings d) Inscriptions in books e) Old letters f) Diaries g) Birthday books h) Address books i) Prizes 2) Work details: a) Apprenticeship documents b) Company magazines c) Testimonials d) Payslips 3) Education: a) School reports b) Prizes c) School/College photographs d) Certificates & diplomas 4) Official background: a) Birth, marriage, death certificates b) Ration books c) National health details d) Tax bills e) Driving licence f) Passport g) War service: i) Medals ii) Commendations iii) Telegrams iv) Discharge documents 5) Religion: a) Baptismal certificate b) Confirmation certificate c) Family bible d) Parish magazines We were looking at old family photographs last night for the benefit of my niece and discovered all my brother's apprenticeship details, school reports etc. which I'd no idea we still had.

Brilliant!! Here goes!!! What was the full name of your father/(repeat for mother when answered all questions for father)? When did he die? Where did he die? Do you have a death certificate? Who was with him when he died? What did he do for a living? Did he have other jobs? How old were you when he worked......? Between which years? Did he serve an apprenticeship? Where/with whom? Where was he born? Do you have his birth/ baptism certificate? Passports/SS books/pension etc? Did he serve in the army? When/where? Was he drafted or do national Service? Do you have any medals? Where did your father go to school? At what age did he leave? Do you have any photographs of him as a boy/young man? Did he have brothers and sisters? Were they older younger/names? Who did they marry? Who are your cousins? Where do they live? Do they have children? Did he talk about family members you have never met? Did he tell you about any stories from his childhood? Do you have your parents' marriage certificate? If not when was it their wedding anniversary? Where/when did they meet? Full names/ dob of your siblings/marriages/nieces/nephews Repeat above questions for mother before going onto grandparents? Start with her maiden name. Please can anyone fill in anything I've left out. Jackie

Add to 'Phoenix' list;old postcards, I have them signed 'your nephew xxxxx', also addresses tell you where they lived, and even change of surname point to marriage date. Mavis

There are fuzzy questions, like: Who came to stay at Christmas? Did you have holidays with relatives? Do you remember your parents' silver/golden/ruby wedding anniversary? Did you have any relatives at the same school? Who was your Dad's best man? Who were your Mum's bridesmaids? Were you anyone's bridesmaid? Names can tumble out of the woodwork if someone is prompted (though never ask leading questions!)