Since its inception, the life history calendar (LHC) methodology has been primarily used for large-scale quantitative life course research. In a methodological innovation, the study described in this article explores the potential of a semistructured LHC to facilitate qualitative life course research. By merging the characteristic detail across multiple domains of the LHC with in-depth interviews, this semistructured protocol succeeds at producing nuanced longitudinal data. The author highlights benefits and limitations of this methodological innovation, as well as implementation advice. Practical matters discussed include choosing time cues, defining domain cues, allowing for multiple starting points, recommended materials, and data analysis. The article includes examples of semistructured life history calendars from a qualitative study of Latino young adults’ educational trajectories.
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