This is your chance to capture a story or memory of events, people and places in Toronto. It could be a grandparent or sibling whose story you want as a family heirloom for generations to come, or an interview with a friend or community member you admire. The possibilities are endless. To use this sampler, simply click on the questions you wish to remove from the list of questions for your interview and press “Print this page” once finished. This will provide you with a summary that you can print and take with you for your session.
These questions may help inspire you and your interview partner to find the story you want to share, or inspire you to create questions of your own:
Memory Bank^ Top
- Where you born here or did you move here? When?
- What is your earliest memory of Toronto?
- Is your life in Toronto been different than you imagined?
- What are you proudest of in your life?
- Do you have any regrets?
- What does your future hold?
- What Toronto event, in your lifetime, has most transformed this city? How did it affect you?
- What do you remember as ‘the most fun you’ve ever had’ in Toronto?
- What wisdom would you like most to share?
- How would you like to be remembered?
- What was the happiest moment in your life? Why?
- Who, more than anyone, changed the course of your life? How?
- What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make? Was it the right choice?
- What are your hopes for Toronto’s future?
My T.O.^ Top
- What do you love most about Toronto?
- What bugs you the most about Toronto?
- What is your favourite place in Toronto? Why?
- If you could change anything about Toronto, what would it be? How would you do it?
- Who is your favourite Torontonain? Why?
- How would you describe the people here?
- What influence has living in Toronto had on you?
- What’s the most beautiful place in this city? What’s the ugliest? Why?
- What do you do here for fun?
- If someone were visiting, what two places would you tell them not to miss? Why?
- What’s your favourite piece of public art?
- What is Toronto’s best kept secret?
Gathering Place^ Top
- When did you move to Toronto
- Did you come by train, plane, ship, or by car from the country to the city?
- What neighbourhood did you move into? Did you like it? Why?
- What is your family heritage?
- What are your classic family stories? Jokes? Songs?
Growing Up^ Top
- What is your full name? Why do you have that name? What is your nickname?
- Did you grow up in Toronto? Where? How is it different now?
- What did you look like?
- What was your favourite story, toy, song, activity, game, food, outfit? Why?
School^ Top
- What schools did you go to? What was a typical school day?
- Did you like school? Why?
- Did you get into trouble? How?
- Did you have a favourite teacher?
- What was your favourite subject? What was your least favourite subject? Why?
- What subject was easiest for you? What subject was most difficult? Why?
- What did you wear to school?
- What was trendy during your school years? How did you follow or avoid the fads?
- Who were your friends at school? Are you still in touch?
- What was the most important thing you learned in school?
Work^ Top
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What was your first job? Do you like it? Why?
- What was your favourite job? Why?
- Did your education or training prepare you for the working world? How?
- What is the most unusual thing you have done as part of a job?
- If you could have any job in the city, what would it be? Why?
- Describe a typical day at one of your jobs?
- Is your retirement all you dreamed it would be?
