100+ questions to ask your parents and grandparents
These prompts help you unlock family stories and start meaningful conversations without the awkwardness. Begin with a short list, or browse by life stage and topic.
New to this? Begin with these three question lists.
Starter
Questions for your first conversation
A short, gentle list to start talking without pressure.
Popular
100 questions to ask your grandma
A full list organized by life stage and memory prompts.
Popular
100 questions to ask your grandpa
A complete set of questions to uncover the stories you have not heard.
By life stage
Choose a list based on who you are talking to.
Grandparents
Prompts that unlock long-term memories and legacy stories.
- 100 questions to ask your grandma
Curated prompts for warm, deep conversations.
- 100 questions to ask your grandpa
A full list to uncover the stories you have not heard.
Parents
Questions that cover childhood, love, work, and family life.
- 100 questions to ask your parents
Comprehensive prompts organized by life stage.
- Questions for your first conversation
Start with a short, gentle list.
Anyone
Prompts that work across generations.
- Questions about childhood memories
Simple, nostalgic starters.
- What do you want us to remember?
A reflective list for legacy stories.
By goal
Pick the kind of conversation you want to have.
Start the conversation
Easy starters for your first chat.
Go deeper
Follow-up prompts and reflective questions.
Collect photos & details
Prompts for artifacts, memories, and context.
Want prompts you can use today? Start here.
From questions to a living biography
- Use these prompts to capture stories naturally.
- We help structure the story and write the narrative.
- You stay in control as the final editor.
Want help shaping these stories?
We help with an interview plan and tailored questions, and write the story based on your conversations - with you as the final editor.
- Tailored questions
- Professional writers
- Beautiful book design
Frequently asked questions
Start casually. Pick one or two lighthearted questions and say, "I was curious about..." A relaxed setting helps it feel natural.
Respect their boundaries. Sometimes starting with fun, impersonal questions or looking at old photos together can gently open the door.
Use the voice memo app on your smartphone or jot down key points in a notebook. The most important thing is capturing the essence of the story.
Focus on feelings and general impressions. Ask, "What did it feel like back then?" and use photos to jog their memory.