Memory Interview Cheat Sheet

Quick checklist (2 minutes)

• ✓Pick a relaxed time (avoid meal prep, bedtime, or stressful windows)
• ✓Ask permission before you press record
• ✓Place your phone or laptop 30–40 cm away to capture clear audio
• ✓Gather 1–2 photos or objects that might spark stories
• ✓Start with thanks: “I’d love to remember this and pass it on. Can we chat for 10 minutes?”

12 must-ask questions

Mix and match a few. Let silence linger. Follow up with “What was that like?” and “What happened next?”

• What smells or sounds immediately remind you of childhood?
• Who taught you a lesson you still remember today?
• Tell me about a time you felt brave even though you were scared.
• What was the funniest misunderstanding you’ve ever had?
• If you could relive one ordinary day, which would it be and why?
• What’s a tradition you wish we still kept alive?
• Tell me about a meal you can still taste when you think about it.
• Who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself?
• When did you realise you were an adult?
• What object in this house carries the most memories?
• Describe the moment you met someone who changed your life.
• What advice would you give your younger self right now?

After the interview

1. Upload the audio into The Archivist; it will transcribe and suggest people/events automatically.
2. Tag who was mentioned and link any photos that were referenced.
3. Invite relatives to fact-check, add memories, or drop their own recordings.

Need conversation starters for kids or nieces/nephews? Try the Childhood Story Prompts.