Connecting People. Creating History
History Begins at Home is all about helping you connect with family and friends through conversation about the past. Chatting with the people you know and love gives us a great sense of well-being. Try it and you will see.
We want to get you chatting with each-other about a whole host of memories from the past – from toys, food and hobbies to cars, holidays, school days and work days. Join the conversation, create new memories to treasure, and share your stories. We will help you along the way.
HBAH All About That Place
Memories of all things local: shops, parks, pubs and more.
#HBAHAllAboutThatPlace
Tips & Tools to Get You Started
Sometimes it can be a bit of a challenge to get a conversation started and to think about the kind of things you might like to ask.
We are here to help! Download the themed worksheets as reminders of the questions you could ask to help you get going. If you wish you can complete these and keep them as a record of the conversation you had for future generations. We would love it if you would also share some of your conversation content on Facebook and Twitter and encourage others to get on board.
SCHOOL DAYS
School dinners, favourite teachers, playground games and occasional misbehaviour. Capture someone close to you’s memories. Were they the best days of their life?
GUIDES AND SCOUTS
Was someone you know in a guide or scout, or perhaps another youth organization. Here are questions to help you learn more about the fun they had.
FASHION
Home-made clothes, fashion mistakes, old school cool. Some questions to help . Remember: keep the competed sheet with any relevant photos.
TOYS
Toy cars, jigsaws, hop scotch games? Here’s your questions to find out and record their best memories.
FOOD
Spam, upside down pineapple cake? Get the conversation started and record their stories.
HOBBIES
Creating collections, learning a language, fishing? Find out how they spent their spare time.
HOLIDAYS
Memories of holidays past. Relive the good times, the wet days and the sugar based confectionery.
OUTDOORS
A wide open subject to get those conversations about the past moving again
WORK
Hi ho, hi ho ….
It’s off to work you went
BEING THERE
History is the part we have all played in sharing events. Call someone up and ask where they were.
NIGHTS OUT
Trips to the pub, cinema, restaurants, theatre; nights at the circus. opera, ballet; evening kick-offs for midweek fixtures.; concerts, discos & dances.
NIGHTS IN
What did people used to do to while away the dark nights? Pick up the phone and find out.
SOUNDS
The sounds of the past are a great trigger for memories. Song, voices, words, poems, slang, dialect and then there’s the questions.
HOME
Some question suggestions for the place like no other.
SHOPPING
The local shop & high streets, retail work & Saturday jobs, Woolies &BHS, fishmongers & greengrocers
COMMUNICATION
Letters, telegrams, texts, emails: what are your memories of connecting with others?
FESTIVITIES
Festive food, family get-togethers, parties, plays and games: start a conversation about memories of festive fun.
WELLBEING
From reminiscences of past sporting glories to resolutions to learn a new skill, memories relevant to the Five Ways to Wellbeing — Be Active, Connect, Take Notice, Learn, Give — can inspire some wonderful conversations.
ANIMALS
Family pets, visits to the zoo, circus trips: for many of us, animals feature prominently in some of our fondest memories. What will you discover about your family and other animals?
MAKING
Uncover your loved ones’ memories of creativity with our #HBAH Making questions. You just might make their day…
HEROES
What are your memories of inspirational figures and local community heroes? Discover the impact of those who have put others before themselves.
TRADING SPACES
From the pub to the department store, the high street has undergone significant changes over the years. Discover more with our special Trading Spaces Question Sheet, which complements the new BBC Radio 4 series presented by Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan.
BOOKS
What was your favourite book as a child? Which book would you take to a desert island? What are your memories of local libraries, favourite bookshops? Getting chatting about all things bibliographic.
SPRING & TRADITIONS
What are your memories of springtime? Woodland walks, feeding new-born lambs? Perhaps you remember participating in traditional events associated with this time of year? Put a spring in someone’s step with our #HBAHSpring and #HBAHTraditions questions.
HUMOUR
I say, I say, I say… Start a conversation about favourite comedians, family jokes, radio/TV comedy memories and more.
VOICES
Discover how your loved ones made their voices heard down the years.
HOSPITALITY
Pubs, parties, work ‘do’s’: want to check out what’s covered by our #HBAHHospitality questions? Be our guest!
BUILDINGS
What was your childhood home like? And your school buildings? Are there other buildings that you associate with your younger days? Explore foundational memories with our Question Sheet.
TECH
From fridges to phones, technology has transformed how we live. Discover your loved ones’ memories of the changes it has brought.
MUSIC
What was the first record you bought? Were you ever in a band? What are your memories of gigs/concerts? Use our Question Sheet to explore musical memories.
SPORT
On your marks, get set…go! Uncover your loved ones’ sporting memories with our Question Sheet.
SUMMER
Holidays! Picnics! Summer jobs! Summer songs! Discover loved ones’ memories of all things summery with our Question Sheet.
ROOTS
Uncover loved ones’ memories of family, home, school, work and more.
TRANSPORT
First bikes! First cars! Memorable train rides! Journey back in time with our Question Sheet.
LEARNING
You’re never too old to learn something new: discover more about the experiences that shaped your loved ones.
ENTERTAINMENT
Shows! Concerts! Stunts, cinema and the circus! Discover your loved ones’ memories of entertainment.
ENVIRONMENT
Spectacular weather! The great outdoors! Sustainability and the urban landscape!
ARCHIVES AT HOME
From treasured family photos, to letters, diaries and more, what will you discover?
FESTIVITIES
Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah... Whatever you celebrate, how you do it can provide memories that last lifetime.
BEGINNINGS
First places, first faces; diary-writing, resolution-keeping, fresh starts and new hobbies.
FOOD
Family recipes, favourite meals and picnics: get a flavour of your loved ones’ younger days.
FRIENDS
Can you remember the first friends you made? Who was your best friend at school? What are your memories of your parents' friends?
MONEY
Did you receive pocket money as a child? Where did you open your first bank account? Can you remember getting your first pay packet?
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Youth clubs, social clubs, nightclubs, sports teams… Revisit memories of getting together with like-minded souls.
JUBILEE
Street parties, commemorative mugs, the summer of '77... Join us as we prompt memories of jubilees royal and otherwise.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
What was PE at your school like? Was there a school nurse? Do you have memories of your family doctor or dentist?
LAZY DAYS
Paddling at the seaside, picnics in the park, summer afternoons just relaxing in the garden…
DESIGN
Revisit memories of significant local buildings, designing things at school, and fashion triumphs (or disasters).
IN PRINT
Favourite books, appearances in the local newspaper, memories of libraries…
SERVICE
Have you or a loved one served in the armed forces, or in an elected office? Maybe you've done voluntary work for a charity?
WINTER
Snowy days, cosy nights, festive celebrations and more.
1960s
Know someone around in the 1960s? Uncover memories to get the conversation swinging.
LOVE
First love, old love, new love, true love…
TEAM SPIRIT
One for all...
NORFOLK COAST
Start a coastal conversation on ‘Nelson’s county’.
HIGH STREET
Memories of the weekly shop, Saturday jobs and more.
TV AND FILM
Favourite programmes, first TVs/VCRs, home movies, cinema trips...
1970s
Kipper ties! Platform shoes! Decimal currency!
SEASIDE
Where the brass bands play, "Tiddely-om-pom-pom!"
1980s
Dallas and Dynasty! Scott and Charlene! Live Aid, faxes, shoulder pads and perms!
AUTUMN
Revisit memories of Bonfire Night, Halloween, Harvest Festival and more.
BOOKS
Memories of libraries, favourite books, bookshops and more.
1950s
National Service! The four-minute mile! Rationing (still), skiffle and rock 'n' roll!
PUBS
First pubs! Student pubs! Food pubs! Music pubs!
RULES
School rules, home rules, work rules and more.
TEENS
High school crushes, gigs, dances, fashion disasters, exam worries, Saturday jobs, driving lessons and more!
GRANDPARENTS
There’s no one quite like grandma…
FAMILY HISTORY: QUESTIONS TO ASK GRANDPARENTS
A collaboration with the Society of Genealogists to get you started on your family history.
GREEN
Memories of parks, gardens and more.
FAME
Autograph hunting, famous locals, celebrity encounters and more.
CARS
Jump start a conversation on all things auto-related.
HOLIDAYS
Memories of holidays past. Relive the good times, the wet days and the sugar based confectionery.
OLYMPICS
Inspirational performances! Shared moments of national triumph! Spectacular opening ceremonies!
WHAT’S LEFT BEHIND
Memories of public buildings and monuments, plus parks/streets named after famous locals and more.
ALL ABOUT THAT PLACE
Memories of all things local: shops, parks, pubs and more,
Capture the Memories
If you want to make sure you keep a record of these conversations so that you can look back and smile in the future, we have some tips and guidance to help you.
Capturing Voices
Capturing Images
Capturing Words
Coming soon …
Upcoming themes on History Begins at Home:
October: All About That Place
November: Folklore
December: Parties
