My Mum - one of the most influential and wonderful people in my life. This article was written in 2009 two years before Mum passed away. 30 questions for my Mum may seem a little unusual to write about but it became obvious to me that there were lots of interesting things about her life that I never knew. And she lived for an amazing 99 years! All the new, startling and incredible things she saw in her lifetime! Here is an updated version of the original article. Perhaps it will inspire you to ask your own family members questions, and write the answers down for your children and grandchildren.

Memories of My Mum

Recently I read an article written by one of my cousins, which were the memories of her mother's childhood and the house where the family were born and lived in Victoria, Australia. This prompted me to ask questions of my mother one of the last times I saw her. Mum confirms much of what her older sister mentions in the article but many of her memories are getting a little muddled with the passage of time. If you are interested in recording stories from your own parents (or grandparents, etc.) here are a few questions – and one question usually leads to many others! The list is at the end of the article.

Mum & her sister playing cricket - 1920's

Notes:

Question relevancy often relates directly to the age, and health, of your parent
Not all these questions will bring back happy memories, so some we skipped
Obviously these questions would be for either parent or even an older sibling
Old family photos from 100 years ago, especially childhood photos, are very rare and precious
Some photos courtesy of P. Ellis
The first photo in the gallery was a Wattle n'Daub home constructed by our Great Grandmother around circa 1890's. The home and property were sold for development in the 1990's. Truly defines "home-made from scratch".

Original family home built by Great Gran

Family & soldiers fighting bushfires 1939

These questions to Mum, and her answers, provided many happy moments, laughter (and speculation!) for us over the last few years of her life, and in later conversations with my own siblings and children. Be ready for unpredictable answers and unusual stories. This time has given me special memories to cherish all my life!

Happy Mother's Day to all our special Mum's.

30 Questions for My Mum

Did you have a favourite place as a child
What was your happiest time growing up
Do you remember the home you first lived in
What can you remember about it
Did it have electricity – kerosene lamps
Where did the water come from – a rain water tank
How many rooms in your home
Was there a vegetable garden
Do you love gardening and did you garden as a child
Did you help with the chores, like milking the family cow, feeding the “chooks” (aka chickens) and pigs
What was school like
How did you get to school. By horse or walk
Do you remember any teachers, stories, books that were special and why
Did you own a car or travel by horse and buggy
What games did you play with your brothers and sisters besides cricket
Did you have to work and help your parents with chores
Did you have pets besides your horse, such as a dog, cat or cockie
Did you have chickens, cows, etc. which had to be looked after
How old were you when you moved to the City (Melbourne)
What was Uncle Charles and Auntie Lou’s house like (where Mum lived in Melbourne)
Where did you go shopping. At the Victoria Market
Did you have a favourite place. To go fishing, walking, etc?
What about cooking. Did you help your mum.
What is your favourite recipe perhaps Pavlova or lamingtons
What is your favourite food (beside lamb)
Where did you meet Dad and how old were you
Do you remember your first “date”
Where did you live when you were first married
Where was the first home you bought. Tell me all about it!
Where was I born?