Some of us are old enough to remember the TV series Dragnet. Although Sergeant Joe Friday never actually said, “Just the facts, Ma’am,” he did dig into his story by stating the facts.

It’s the same with your story. Use the following guidelines to record facts. If you don’t know all the answers, skip to the next factoid. You can always return later and fill in the blanks.

Your name at birth

Were you named after anyone? Who? Why?

Nickname

Your date and place of birth

What stories were told about your birth?

Your paternal grandfather’s name, date and place of birth (this is your father’s father)

Your paternal grandmother’s maiden name, date and place of birth (this is your father’s mother)

Your maternal grandfather’s name, date and place of birth (this is your mother’s father)

Your maternal grandmother’s maiden name, date and place of birth (this is your mother’s mother)

Did your ancestors immigrate to America? When? Why? Immigration port of call

Your father’s name, date and place of birth

Your mother’s name, date and place of birth

Your brothers’ and sisters’ names, dates and places of birth

If you are married or have a partner, list the following for each spouse or partner:

  • Name, including maiden name for women
  • Date and place of birth
  • Date and place of marriage
  • Date of death or divorce

Your children’s names, dates and places of birth

Your grandchildren’s names, dates and places of birth

Your great-grandchildren’s names, dates and places of birth

Starting with your birth, list the places you have lived and dates you lived there

List your schools: locations, dates attended, honors, degrees earned

List your extracurricular activities

List your jobs and careers, including title, location, and dates of employment

List your interests and leisure time activities

List your pets

If you were in the military, list your branch of service, rank at entry and discharge, dates served, and any honors or awards

List community and service club activities

What is your religious affiliation?

List your philanthropic interests

List your major travel destinations, including dates of travel and travel companions

List “bullet point” stories you want to include in your estate wellness plan. Example:

  • Mail bag story
  • Bruised Thanksgiving turkey
  • The day I ran away from home

IMPORTANT: Facts provide context for your stories. So don’t get bogged down or overwhelmed. Simply fill in what you know and move on.

FACT: Once you get started you will find this to be a fun and fascinating activity.