Could someone please tell me some questions for my great grandson to put in a "memory book" for his grandpa.

Question

My brother can not see his great grandson, because of family

issues. His great grandson wants to make a memory book of

his first 3 years with his grandpa. I would appreciate - any questions, that you know ... I should put in there.

I can't afford to buy one. But I want to help him make one for his great grandpa's 60th birthday. Thank You so very much, for any help. God Bless.

Answer 1

I got lost in the details of your question. As written, there are four generations involved:

Your brother, "Albert",

His son, "Bruce"

His son, "Charles"

Albert's great grandson, "Daniel".

"Daniel" wants to make a memory book of three years he spent with "Bruce", his grandfather, for the benefit of "Albert", his great grandfather.

http://www.tedpack.org/bioguide.html

has two pages of questions, which, if answered with a page or so, would total up to 30 - 45 pages of memories, but they are designed for older people who want to make a memoir for their children or grandchildren.

Answer 2

Now how old is the grandson, sounds like he is 3, so who is wanting to make the book?  I guess I am confused, but I guess the best thing to put in there are pictures taken, or pictures drawn, notes about what they did together, each others favorites, and LOTS OF LOVE!  Hopefully things get better and they won't need a memory book!

Answer 3

In addition to Reggie's insightful suggestions, you might compile this "memory book" with an eye to the future:

1)  Photocopy photographs of your brother's great grandson and his grandpa together along with captions, making sure to identify everyone in the pictures.

2)  Give the names, birth, marriage, and death dates (as applicable) of great grandpa's parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters.  Also, provide the same information about all his descendants, although this might take a little cooperation on the family's behalf.  This can be placed at the end of the little book, but it will be most appreciated in the future, both for his great grandson's use and for the use of other family members.

3)  Likewise, collect photocopies of birth, marriage, and death certificates.

4)  Photocopy photographs, news clippings, and write a short biography of your nephew's great grandpa's life.

5)  Collect humorous or insightful stories family members remember about great grandpa's life.

Compile all the information together and photocopy it; let Kinko's or another copy service bind the material in book form, giving one copy to your great grand nephew and distributing other portions as applicable to various family members. You might also make an audio or video tape recording of your brother talking about his childhood memories.

Remember that a personalized gift such as this one is priceless, even though it might at first glance cost less than a store-bought version of the same.  For example, for my cousins' weddings, I have collected recipes from various family members and bound them together, giving every member who contributed a copy.  You could also split the cost for this project among family members who agree to contribute.

Answer 4

Hi,

What a sweet idea!

It can be both a photo/snapshot thingy as posted above & it could also ask Grandpa some questions with space to write the answers. Perhaps you can even add "what happened on that date"  pages with both your sons and birthdate and grandpa's birthdate. That would be quite telling in how the generations have changed.

This great list came from: http://www.helium.com/items/464002-genea...

Describe the first childhood home you can remember.

2) Tell about the rooms, smells, and what was in the home.

3) Describe the yard, animals, neighborhood, stores.

4) Describe your parents, siblings, grandparents; their characters, idiosyncrasies, major illnesses and cause of death.

5) Tell of any religious experiences.

6) Describe your childhood dreams, wants, fears, loves, hardships.

7) Tell about schools from elementary through to college.

8) Describe first job, and any that followed.

9) Tell about favorite holidays and what the family did to celebrate.

10) Describe house moves and family trips.

11) Describe first date, courtship, wedding, honeymoon, early marriage years, children, difficult experiences and how they were resolved, happiest experiences.

12) Tell about personal talents, hobbies, ambitions.

13) Tell of inventions during his lifetime, important events, changes in way of life, medicine then and now.

14) Ask what is most important lesson, message or advice to pass on to family.

I think I'd ask what was the comfort dish that grandma made when times were rough or what was the name of your first dog or where were you when we landed on the moon or describe Christmas when you were little or....

Maybe you could visit the library for some books like these http://www.amazon.com/Grandpa-Tell-Me-Yo...

It sounds like a really nice way to spend time with your son and I'm sure his grandpa will love it.

Answer 5

what is the most fun time they had. the best place they went together. the funniest joke

Answer 6

I am not sure about questions but you could put in cute thinks that his grandson says as well as pictures and captions that explain the events in the photos. Scrap book stores have lots of great ideas to get you started. I think that is a very nice thing for you to do.