I've heard recently from a number of historical societies in my area enthusiastic about beginning an oral-history program in their communities. They all share the same concern - that the men and women who can bring the history of their town to life through the sharing of personal experience are aging rapidly.
Time is of the essence when it comes to capturing these personalities and their stories for current and future generations.
Thinking of starting a community oral-history program? Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Determine your objective. What do you hope to learn? What are the gaps in your "known history" that personal recollections can help fill?
2. Agree upon key subject categories. What are the primary topics in your community history that you'd like to cover? Examples might be: the local lumbering industry, churches, schooling, farming, retail, etc.
3. Make your list. Who do you want to talk with? There will be those in your community who will be of interest for several possible reasons: they're natives to the area, they've led exceptionally fascinating lives, they can shed some light on one or some of the categories chosen in Step 2.
4. Prioritize your list. Who do you want to talk with FIRST? You will want to consider age, health, and availability.
5. Buy your equipment. You will need a digital recorder and microphones, to start. There are some good resources to help you find the right equipment for your needs. Transom.org is a good place to get started.
6. Find committed interviewers. Who will be conducting the interviews? A group of 3-5 interviewers is ideal. Then you can divide and conquer, after everyone has agreed upon an interview protocol and process.
7. Agree upon a protocol and process! There are a number of things that should be considered before stepping out into the field - how to present your program to the community, connecting/communicating with potential interviewees, the interview process, and archival procedures.
I offer a two-hour Interviewing Workshop designed specifically to help community oral-history programs get off the ground and running. If you're interested, contact me at amanda@fourfoldpress.com or 802-371-9777. I'd love to help you begin this exciting process.
Time is of the essence when it comes to capturing these personalities and their stories for current and future generations.
Thinking of starting a community oral-history program? Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Determine your objective. What do you hope to learn? What are the gaps in your "known history" that personal recollections can help fill?
2. Agree upon key subject categories. What are the primary topics in your community history that you'd like to cover? Examples might be: the local lumbering industry, churches, schooling, farming, retail, etc.
3. Make your list. Who do you want to talk with? There will be those in your community who will be of interest for several possible reasons: they're natives to the area, they've led exceptionally fascinating lives, they can shed some light on one or some of the categories chosen in Step 2.
4. Prioritize your list. Who do you want to talk with FIRST? You will want to consider age, health, and availability.
5. Buy your equipment. You will need a digital recorder and microphones, to start. There are some good resources to help you find the right equipment for your needs. Transom.org is a good place to get started.
6. Find committed interviewers. Who will be conducting the interviews? A group of 3-5 interviewers is ideal. Then you can divide and conquer, after everyone has agreed upon an interview protocol and process.
7. Agree upon a protocol and process! There are a number of things that should be considered before stepping out into the field - how to present your program to the community, connecting/communicating with potential interviewees, the interview process, and archival procedures.
I offer a two-hour Interviewing Workshop designed specifically to help community oral-history programs get off the ground and running. If you're interested, contact me at amanda@fourfoldpress.com or 802-371-9777. I'd love to help you begin this exciting process.
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