I recently asked my grandpa which generation came over to America in our family tree. He answered it, and said I should ask him more questions while he was still alive to answer these types of questions. Honestly, I can't think of anything to ask, but would like your advice on some good questions.
2006-12-12 15:44:59 · 25 answers · asked by TJDANE 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
I would love to have them tell me about their life. From the time they were small until death. If there was anything they really wanted to do and also about their parents. I would also tell them how much I still miss them and all the memories of them that I do have. I just finished books about my parents and my life and thoughts and dreams for my 3 kids ages, 31, 29 and 29. from mother with love.
2006-12-12 15:48:57 · answer #1 · answered by Kathy L 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1.Get the maiden names of the female relatives--I don't even know what my Grandma's maiden name was--OMG how sad is that? And all of her children are gone, none of the cousins know, so that is lost forever.
2. Get the towns and countries the families came from. All of them. even try and find out how they traveled to get here (i.e. left Yugoslavia, traveled to Austria, then boarded the ship in France).
3. Find out approximate years they came to America. There are ship rosters and archived books from Ellis Island that you can view online.
4.Find out where the families lived once they got here. States, cities, house addresses if possible. It is so cool to find an old city directory and look up your ancestors.
I hope this has given you some ideas. Ask as much as you can. If in doubt, have your grandpa spell the names for you (some last names were spelled differently in the home country and then changed at Ellis Island--find out both spellings).
Buy a tape recorder. Tape everything you can. You may think you will remember it all, but that is not how it usually goes.
2006-12-12 15:57:20 · answer #2 · answered by maamu 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well this may not help but personally I would ask my Grandpa if he is proud of me, when he died i was just a few months from having my 2nd child and i was only 18. 16 with my first, I got married to a wonderful man had another child worked hard i believe i do a good job raising my kids i got past obstacles in my life that many ppl never do and now i am i college and have done really well, i would just love to know that he is proud of me and i would want him to know that i miss him. Sorry my answer was so long. :) O I would also ask him what he thought about 9/11 he fought in WW2 after Perl harbor and I have always wondered what he would have to say about 9/11 he died shortly before it happened.
2006-12-12 15:51:13 · answer #3 · answered by LesHug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask him about his childhood, young adulthood, courtship with your grandmother, life experiences or events that changed his life, what he would have done differently if that certain event didn't happen, military service, especially if he is WWII or Korea, since we are losing many veterans every day. With his blessings, record his voice as he recounts the events of his life. Ask him to keep a journal, so if a memory comes back later on he can jot it down.
I never got the chance to ask my grandparents those questions because I lost my grandparents between ages 2 & 22. Great grandparents were gone before I was born. Life was hard for them in OH & KY & I was born to the youngest on both sides.
2006-12-12 15:58:54 · answer #4 · answered by Eskimo Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well first off i would try to complete as much of a family tree that he can help with. you never know when you will need it, and won't have him there to call up. second, ask him things about your family, like personality, stories to pass down to your kids etc. advice he can give, on anything in general. i will tell you this, spend as much time as you can with your grandpa, i have one left, my grandma, having lost all three of my grandparents within months of each other in 2003. even if all you talk about is that the wind is blowing funny that day and making the clouds look weird lol. enjoy
2006-12-12 15:53:31 · answer #5 · answered by bigdaddysdoll05 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would ask her if she is happy now and not in any more pain. I would ask if Grandpa was with her now. Also, if she was taking care of my 2 cats that passed away and if they were also happy up there. I wouldn't ask anything that had to do with earth. I would want to know how she is now and everyone around her. I would tell her how much I miss her and love her still. And, that life just isn't the same without her.
2006-12-12 17:24:42 · answer #6 · answered by C B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would ask my grandparents how they managed to survive during the Great Depression and World War II. I would ask them more specific questions about their daily lives in the 30's, 40'2, 50's, etc.. I remember my Grandfather talking about plowing a 7 acre field near my home with a one way plow and a mule when he was a teenager. It took him 3 days of hard work to get it done. When he was 90 years old, he plowed it with his tractor and large plow in less than 2 hours. I would ask him about other contrasts like that. He rode a wagon pulled by a horse when he was in his teens; later he flew to New York on a jumbo jet. I remember his comment to this day. He said after stepping off the plane, "Well, now I am ready to go to the moon, I guess!" Our grandparents have witnessed more changes in society than we will ever see, yet they handled it and took it in stride - I would like to know how they coped.
2006-12-12 15:56:24 · answer #7 · answered by Doug R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did a recorded interview with my grandmother 6 months before she died. I was really close with her and she taught me alot about the family and her childhood. In fact I can tell you just about her childhood and all the trouble she got into. However, I never learned very much about my grandfather. He didn't share very much about his growing up and his family. I guess if I had the chance I would ask him all about his parents and why his brother is the way he is.
For my grandpere, whom I never met, I would ask him how he and my grandmere met and why he become a chemist. Also I would want to know all about his time in the Navy and if it was hard to raise two monster lil boys. For my grandmere, I would ask her why she collected all those orange juice caps and if she would teach me to paint like she does. I'm sure there's a millions more thing I would ask them, but that's all I can think of. I hope it helps.
2006-12-12 15:54:37 · answer #8 · answered by Lexy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh to only have the chance. I would want to know just everything they could remember about their parents and grand parents. From what they looked like to what their hobby's were. About the family "stories" famous people they have known places they have traveled. How they lived and what they did for a living. I could go on all night but I think you get the idea. And keep a record of everything you find out.
2006-12-12 15:52:36 · answer #9 · answered by Jan J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh so much. If he was in the war does he have any stories? His courtship with your grandmother? My grandfather always wanted to write down his war stories but he never got a chance, but everyone in the "Desert Rats" in England I'm sure are now all deceased so I can never find out,but anything you want to know ask? what were his first thoughts when you were born? What did him & your grandmother due for fun with their kids before they got a TV? As trivial as you might think it is ask it because if you don't you'll regret it like me
2006-12-12 15:53:43 · answer #10 · answered by gitsliveon24 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋