Have you ever wanted to write your life story but found yourself staring blankly at an empty page? Writing your personal history is a tremendous gift for your posterity, but figuring out exactly where to begin is often the hardest part. Fortunately, you do not have to be a professional writer to leave behind a beautiful, comprehensive record.
The embedded document below completely removes writer’s block by providing an incredible list of 58 distinct prompts. It is divided into 52 core questions and 6 extra bonus questions designed to spark your memory. By tackling just one of these prompts a week, you will easily complete your life story in about a year!
The Best Autobiography Questions for Beginners
One of the easiest ways to start your history is by answering simple, foundational questions about your early life. You can begin by simply stating your full name and explaining exactly why your parents gave you that name. Then, you can describe exactly when and where you were born, including vivid details about your childhood home and your old neighborhood.
From there, you can write about the specific kinds of hardships or tragedies your family experienced while you were growing up. You are also prompted to record any obvious or unusual genetic traits that might run in your family line.
Early Years, Relatives, and Traditions
Expanding on your early years, the guide prompts you to share specific memories of your mother and father, including their birthplaces and the kind of work they did. You should also document the names of your siblings and describe the unique things that stand out in your mind about each of them. Recording your family traditions and how you celebrated specific holidays provides incredible cultural context for your descendants.
Do not forget to include the extended family who shaped your life! You can share beautiful memories of your grandparents and describe how closely they were involved in your daily routine. You are also encouraged to write about any aunts or uncles who really stand out in your mind.
Education, Career, and Marriage
As you move into adulthood, the document suggests writing about your school days, including your favorite and least favorite subjects. You can then explain how you chose your specific career path and share memorable experiences from the various jobs you have held throughout your life.
Of course, your personal history must include the story of your own family. You are prompted to describe how you met your spouse, what your courtship was like, and the beautiful details of your marriage day. You can then list the names of your children and share a few sweet memories about each one of them.
Discovering Your Unique Personality Traits
Future generations want to know what your personality was truly like. The guide includes fun prompts, like asking you to list 20 things about yourself that make you uniquely you. It also asks what you would do if someone gave you $10,000 but told you that you absolutely could not give it to friends, family, or use it for yourself.
You can also describe what scares you, what makes you stop and say “Wow!”, and what you enjoy doing in your leisure time. The extra questions even invite you to share the popular fads you experienced and list 20 things you think the world would be better off without.
Life Lessons and Your Future Legacy
The most spiritually profound sections focus on your beliefs and your legacy. You are prompted to explain if religion was important to your family and what it means to your life today. You can compile a list of 50 things that you are deeply grateful for.
Finally, the questions ask you to reflect on what you want to be remembered for and what you are doing right now to create a legacy worthy of remembering. You can even leave five different bits of advice for your future posterity. Take a few moments to review the complete 5-page document below! You can also read our previous post about Writing a Personal Journal, or visit the official FamilySearch Blog for even more writing inspiration.
