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Write family history questions before the stories disappear
Older relatives won't be around forever. Get interview questions and a simple way to record answers.
The prompt · ChatGPT
Write family history questions. Who I'll ask: [names, relationship] Themes I care about: [childhood, work, war, immigration, recipes] Sensitive areas to handle gently: [optional] How I'll record: [notes, voice phone, video] Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. Questions grouped by theme. 2. Warm-up questions. 3. Gentle wording for sensitive topics, with permission to skip. 4. A simple session plan (45 minutes). 5. How to store what I collect. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts, diagnoses or legal outcomes. UK English. Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. names, relationship: a short note you already have. childhood, work, war, immigration, recipes: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
The prompt · Gemini
Write family history questions. Who I'll ask: [names, relationship] Themes I care about: [childhood, work, war, immigration, recipes] Sensitive areas to handle gently: [optional] How I'll record: [notes, voice phone, video] Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. Questions grouped by theme. 2. Warm-up questions. 3. Gentle wording for sensitive topics, with permission to skip. 4. A simple session plan (45 minutes). 5. How to store what I collect. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts, diagnoses or legal outcomes. UK English. Stay in this Gemini chat. Leave extensions off, including Gmail and Drive.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. names, relationship: a short note you already have. childhood, work, war, immigration, recipes: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
You name who you'll ask.
The assistant asks about sensitive topics.
You get question lists by theme and a recording plan.
What happens
Use Gemini to write family history questions before the stories disappear
Older relatives won't be around forever. Get interview questions and a simple way to record answers.
Tools
Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.
- Gemini — required. Drafts from the text you paste. Nothing is sent.
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