Robert and Carol Jean Coombs
UCLA School of Medicine
October, 1991
Writing a Personal History
A Priceless Legacy
A personal history should not be a professional work of literature. It will be most valuable to those who later see it if it reflects you, your attitudes and memories. Remembering the disappointments and bad times highlights memories of the good times, successes and accomplishments. Use your own language and style. Get your ideas quickly on to tape and edit it later. The following suggestions may be helpful:
Your Family Tree
Who are your grandparents and parents?
What are the dates and places of their birth, marriage, death?
How did they earn their living?
What do you like to remember about them?
Your Youth
When and where you born?
What is your earliest memory?
Who are your brothers and sisters?
Where did you live?
What was your house like?
Where did you sleep?
What were you like as a child? As a teenager?
What did you do for fun?
What were your favorite toys and games?
What happened when you got into mischief?
Did you have pets?
How did you spend your summers?
How did you celebrate holidays?
Where did you go to school?
What do you remember best about school?
What were your family activities and traditions?
What did you like to do? Dislike to do?
What is a favorite memory?
Your Marriage
How did you meet your spouse?
What was he/she like then?
What was your courtship like?
How did you become engaged?
What do you remember about your wedding?
Your Adult Life
What occupations have you had?
What was the most challenging?
Where did you live?
What did you do for fun?
What were you good at?
What skills are you glad you developed?
Your Children
Where and when were your children born?
Why did you name them what you did?
What were their endearing qualities?What are your hopes for the future?
What family activities and traditions did you have?
Your Civic, Religious and Social Affiliations
What involvement did you have with your church? Your community? Your friends?
Where Have You Traveled?
How Has the World Changed During Your Lifetime? What do you like best and least about those changes?
What inventions have changed the way you live?
What newsworthy people and events have impacted your life?
Your Attitudes and Feelings
What is your attitude about money?
What are your religious beliefs?
What advice would you give to your grandchildren?
What would you most like to teach your grandchildren?
What are the most precious things in the world to you?
Reflections on Your Life
What are the highlights of your life?
What was of the greatest influence?
How would you like to be remembered?
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