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!!!!