oral history workshop
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Oral History Workshop. Presented by Kerry Taylor and Mary Jo Fairchild for the lowcountry oral history alliance At the Citadel. Defining Oral History. A verbal reminiscence or description of past events or experiences, usually recorded in interviews. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Presented by Kerry Taylor and Mary Jo Fairchild for the
lowcountry oral history alliance At the Citadel
Oral History Workshop
A verbal reminiscence or description of past events or experiences, usually recorded in interviews
A verbal reminiscence or description of past events or experiences, usually recorded in interviews
The collection of interviews with ordinary people to get their stories about their participation in events
The collection of interviews with ordinary people to get their stories about their participation in events
Defining Oral History
The recording, preservation and interpretation of historical information based on the personal experiences and opinions of the speaker
Oldest method of doing historyOldest method of doing history
Newest method of doing historyNewest method of doing history
History of Oral History
Columbia Oral History Office (1948)
Regional Oral History Office (1954)
Baylor Institute for Oral History (1970)
Center for Oral History at the University of Southern Mississippi (1971)
UTEP Institute of Oral History (1972)
Southern Oral History Program (1973)
Columbia Oral History Office (1948)
Regional Oral History Office (1954)
Baylor Institute for Oral History (1970)
Center for Oral History at the University of Southern Mississippi (1971)
UTEP Institute of Oral History (1972)
Southern Oral History Program (1973)
Allan Nevins, Columbia UniversityAllan Nevins, Columbia University
History of Oral History
What makes it unique?What makes it unique? CautionsCautions
Communications revolution means that fewer of us write letters, keep diaries
Captures perspectives often excluded from the historical record
Includes events that may not have been documented in print
Allows historian to actively participate in the creation of sources
Allows historian to engage the community
Limits of memoryInterviewers can
unconsciously shape an interview by asking leading questions
Oral history is most useful when written records are available. Both should be check against the each other
Why Oral History?
Define Your Oral History Project (3 Steps)
Determine objectivesBook, creating a collection, audio
documentary, performanceBalance your objectives with resources
Staff, time, financesNarrow your focus
Be realistic and pare down your objectives
Interview Preparation
Establish contact and rapport with interviewees
Conduct background research
Formulate lists of topics and questions you want to cover during your interview
Once you have defined your project:
How to identify?How to identify? First ContactFirst Contact
through research by word-of-mouth during public events
related to the topic through organizations
related to the topic based on the
recommendations of other interviewees
Phone calls Letter/email for those
you’ve not met Mutual
acquaintances/gatekeepers
Contacting Narrators/Interviewees
The Importance of Background Research
Oral history is part of a whole and cannot be substituted for other methods of historical research.
Good research allows you to ask better questions and it demonstrates to your narrator that you have taken her/his life seriously
Keep in mind that you do not want to outshine your interviewee
Benefits of Research:
You can challenge the interviewee to recall more details
It enhances your efficiency- you don’t have to waste time asking questions that can be answered through background research
helps you put the interview in a larger historical context
You will feel more confident!
South Carolina ResourcesSouth Carolina Resources
Charleston County Public Library
Avery Research CenterThe South Carolina Historical
SocietyLowcountry Digital LibrarySouth Carolina Digital Library
Locations
ManuscriptsManuscripts NewspapersNewspapers
Marriage, Death , Birth Announcements
Event Announcements, Headlines, and Circumstances
Primary Source Materials
Primary Source Materials:
• Rare Books
City Directories & City Yearbooks, for example
• Pamphlets
• Oral Interviews
• Photographs
• Maps
Secondary Source Materials
Journal Articles
Books
Magazines
Dissertations
Bibliographies
Interview Tips: Preparing Questions
1.Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered in background research
2. Avoid yes/no questions, instead ask open-ended questions
3. Use more specific questions when necessary to elicit more details, emotions or feelings related to the topic at hand.
4. Avoid leading or judgmental questions.5. Present yourself as a novice
Interview Tips: Mechanics
choose a location where the interviewee will be comfortable (home, public library)
know your equipment and make sure it doesn’t distract
relatives can be helpful, but can be a distraction
Shared authority Ownership of the
narrative is not exclusive to the interviewer or the interviewee
Interviewer’s obligations to discretion, and candor Explain your intentions
fully and provide narrator access to recording and transcription
Obligations continue after the interview
Oral History Ethics and the Shared Authority
Archiving and Documentation
Consider deposit with local library or appropriate archive
Secure necessary release form assigning rights to archive
Restrictions based on interviewee’s wishes
Restrictions (example):
Oral History Association
The integrity of oral history as a legitimate means of historical research depends on the successful application of the OHA Evaluation Guidelines
www.oralhistory.org
Lowcountry Oral History Alliance
The mission of the Lowcountry Oral History Alliance (LOHA) is to support and foster communication among members in order to increase personal and collective knowledge of South Carolina's Lowcountry.
Membership in LOHA is open to anyone with an interest in oral history.
www.facebook.com/pages/Lowcountry-Oral-History-Alliance/
Discussion and Questions??????
THANK YOU!!!!