Comprehensive Ancestor Research Questionnaire

A gentle guide for capturing the full richness of your ancestor’s story.

This beautifully structured, fillable questionnaire is designed to support documenting ancestral lives with depth, compassion, and clarity. Covering everything from vital details and family relationships to personality traits, migration journeys, and community ties, each section invites thoughtful reflection and emotional connection.

Whether you're interviewing a relative, organising research findings, or preparing for a workshop, this tool offers:

• Inclusive prompts that honour foster ties, chosen family, and lived experience

• Organised sections for education, occupation, military service, and more

• Built-in source tracking to support transparency and future research

• Interview notes to preserve oral history with care and nuance

• Flexible space for brick walls, stray clues, and next steps

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download the Form

   • Click the download link provided.

   • Save the file to a location you can easily find (e.g., Desktop or Downloads folder).

2. Open the Form

   • Double-click the file to open it.

   • This fillable form is in Word format.

3. Fill in the Fields

   • Click into any highlighted or blank field to begin typing.

   • Use the Tab key to move between fields quickly.

4. Save Your Responses

   • Once complete, go to File > Save As and rename your file if needed.

   • This ensures your responses are saved and easy to locate later.

5. Optional: Print

• You can print a copy for your records.