Personal landmarks are a central element of calendar survey methods. These data collection methods use a graphical time frame in which specific landmark events can be described next to the respondents’ life history. The theoretical ideas in this article suggest that landmarks are most effective as a recall aid if they are important, domain-related, and personal events. The data originate from a calendar method that was embedded in a telephone survey in the Netherlands. The outcomes showed that respondents used a great variety of landmark events, that the number and types of landmarks are related to sociodemographic factors, and that the landmark distribution shows recency and heaping patterns. Weak positive effects of landmarks on recall accuracy were also found. The results suggest that a standardization of the landmark procedure might add to the effectiveness of its aided recall function.
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