30 questions you need to ask relatives about your family's past this year

Family history starts with those closest to you. Where better to get information about your shared heritage than straight from the horse's mouth? Just think, if your grandparents remember details about their great-grandparents, you've already gone back four generations. Show your family tree to your nearest and dearest to see if they can fill in any gaps.

Maybe your loved one is interested in starting their own family history journey. More than just a hobby, it provides a valuable way for us to connect with our past and strengthen our familial ties in the present. Consider giving your loved ones the gift of their past, with a Findmypast gift subscription.

With billions of records at your fingertips, who knows what you and your loved ones might discover.

When you're piecing together a picture of the past any clue can help. So quiz your cousins, probe your parents and grill your grandma. In fact, take as many family members as possible on an insightful trip down memory lane.

Questions to ask about your ancestors

With this handy list, the questions appear as you hover over them and you can tick each one off as you go. Why not record your relatives' answers on your smartphone or go the traditional route with a simple pen and paper to take notes?

Once you've gathered all this amazing detail, preserve it in your Findmypast family tree and our clever hints will get to work, unearthing more family discoveries for you from our records.

We know how frustrating it can be to lack the necessary details and meet a dead-end. Luckily, our experts are here to help. Our guide to getting started can help you through those tricky moments and help you to become a genealogy whizz in no time.