591
edits
Creating Oral Histories: Difference between revisions
Created a link to FamilySearch Learning Center lessons.
Sandralpond (talk | contribs) m (fixed link) |
(Created a link to FamilySearch Learning Center lessons.) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
See also [https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/results.html?fq=place%3A%22United+States%22&resultListItem=2 Ancestors Season 2: Records at Risk ] at the FamilySearch Learning Center. | |||
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
| Line 7: | Line 9: | ||
Your first task is to decide whom to interview and why. You may want to interview someone who can provide information about a particular ancestor. Or you may want to do more general interviews with perhaps your oldest living relative, another member of y our family, your town’s oldest resident, a neighbor, or anyone who may have ties to or information about your family. You should usually conduct interviews one on one. Some situations, however, such as extended family gatherings, may provide a unique opportunity to capture the memories of several people at one time. In this sort of situation, you might simply set up your video or tape recorder and introduce a discussion topic to the group, such as inviting them to share their favorite memories of Grandma. As the group shares their memories, individuals will tend to remember more than they would if they were interviewed alone. Keep in mind that you may not always be able to distinguish who is saying what on the recording on the group session, particularly if you only have an audio recording. And group noise may make parts of the interview inaudible. You can compensate for those disadvantages by using more than one recording device and by identifying the different voices as soon as possible after the recording session. | Your first task is to decide whom to interview and why. You may want to interview someone who can provide information about a particular ancestor. Or you may want to do more general interviews with perhaps your oldest living relative, another member of y our family, your town’s oldest resident, a neighbor, or anyone who may have ties to or information about your family. You should usually conduct interviews one on one. Some situations, however, such as extended family gatherings, may provide a unique opportunity to capture the memories of several people at one time. In this sort of situation, you might simply set up your video or tape recorder and introduce a discussion topic to the group, such as inviting them to share their favorite memories of Grandma. As the group shares their memories, individuals will tend to remember more than they would if they were interviewed alone. Keep in mind that you may not always be able to distinguish who is saying what on the recording on the group session, particularly if you only have an audio recording. And group noise may make parts of the interview inaudible. You can compensate for those disadvantages by using more than one recording device and by identifying the different voices as soon as possible after the recording session. | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left | {| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Face-to-face interviews are usually the most effective. If the person you want to interview does not live close to you, however, a telephone interview is an alternative. See appendix A for information about various recording options. Also see Digital Sound | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Face-to-face interviews are usually the most effective. If the person you want to interview does not live close to you, however, a telephone interview is an alternative. See appendix A for information about various recording options. Also see Digital Sound | ||
| Line 32: | Line 34: | ||
'''Arrange for Recording Equipment''' Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | '''Arrange for Recording Equipment''' Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left | {| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Some people are shy of microphones. Try to obtain a microphone that can be inconspicuously placed on a table in the interview room rather than one that must be held in the hand or spoken into directly. | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Some people are shy of microphones. Try to obtain a microphone that can be inconspicuously placed on a table in the interview room rather than one that must be held in the hand or spoken into directly. | ||
|} | |} | ||
'''Make a Checklist''' Make a checklist of things to take to the interview, which may include: <br>''• Extra batteries or a power cord for your recording equipment.''<br>''• A label for your tape.''<br>''• A pen or pencil and paper for note taking and for labeling your audio or video tape.''<br>''• Your list of questions.''<br>''• Photographs or artifacts that might be useful.''<br>''• A pedigree chart or family group record.''<br>''• A release form for the interviewee to sign.''<br>''• A release form giving your permission to share the content of the interview (see Appendix C.)'' | '''Make a Checklist''' Make a checklist of things to take to the interview, which may include: <br>''• Extra batteries or a power cord for your recording equipment.''<br>''• A label for your tape.''<br>''• A pen or pencil and paper for note taking and for labeling your audio or video tape.''<br>''• Your list of questions.''<br>''• Photographs or artifacts that might be useful.''<br>''• A pedigree chart or family group record.''<br>''• A release form for the interviewee to sign.''<br>''• A release form giving your permission to share the content of the interview (see Appendix C.)'' | ||
== At the Interview == | == At the Interview == | ||
| Line 61: | Line 63: | ||
'''''• Finish up.''' Immediately label your audio or video tape. Your label should include the same information you provided at the beginning of your interview—your name, the name of the person you interviewed, and the date and place of the interview. Punch out the tabs in your audio or video tape to prevent it from being recorded over. Clear out all your equipment, thank your interviewee, and offer him or her a copy of the interview itself or a transcription. If you would like to do an additional interview, try to schedule it before you leave.'' | '''''• Finish up.''' Immediately label your audio or video tape. Your label should include the same information you provided at the beginning of your interview—your name, the name of the person you interviewed, and the date and place of the interview. Punch out the tabs in your audio or video tape to prevent it from being recorded over. Clear out all your equipment, thank your interviewee, and offer him or her a copy of the interview itself or a transcription. If you would like to do an additional interview, try to schedule it before you leave.'' | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left | {| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Don’t be concerned about getting through your list of questions. It is more important that people you interview be allowed to talk about whatever is significant to them. They know more about their life experience than you do and often are better judges of the value of their personal knowledge. Most of all, you want the interview to be a satisfying experience for the person you interview. | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' Don’t be concerned about getting through your list of questions. It is more important that people you interview be allowed to talk about whatever is significant to them. They know more about their life experience than you do and often are better judges of the value of their personal knowledge. Most of all, you want the interview to be a satisfying experience for the person you interview. | ||
| Line 86: | Line 88: | ||
''• Offer your transcript to your local historical society or university.'' <br>''• Send a copy to interested family members.'' <br>''• Publish it on a Web page.'' | ''• Offer your transcript to your local historical society or university.'' <br>''• Send a copy to interested family members.'' <br>''• Publish it on a Web page.'' | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left | {| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" width="500" align="left" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' It is extremely important that you exclude any identifying information on living individuals if you share your interview with anyone other than close family and friends, especially when the interview is shared over the Internet. | | bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Expert Tip:''' It is extremely important that you exclude any identifying information on living individuals if you share your interview with anyone other than close family and friends, especially when the interview is shared over the Internet. | ||
| Line 113: | Line 115: | ||
'''Printable Lessons''' | '''Printable Lessons''' | ||
[https://familysearch.org/learn/researchcourses How to Conduct Family History Interviews] | [https://familysearch.org/learn/researchcourses How to Conduct Family History Interviews] | ||
== Ideas for Teachers == | == Ideas for Teachers == | ||
| Line 135: | Line 137: | ||
• Divide the class into groups of two. Tell each group they are going to practice interviewing one another. Ask them to come up with two open-ended questions to ask and then to interview each other for five minutes each.<br> | • Divide the class into groups of two. Tell each group they are going to practice interviewing one another. Ask them to come up with two open-ended questions to ask and then to interview each other for five minutes each.<br> | ||
• Ask the class to respond to the question “What keeps me from interviewing my family members?” Make a list of the responses, and then as a class discuss ways to overcome the identified obstacles. | • Ask the class to respond to the question “What keeps me from interviewing my family members?” Make a list of the responses, and then as a class discuss ways to overcome the identified obstacles. | ||
== '''Appendix A—Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Recording Equipment''' == | == '''Appendix A—Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Recording Equipment''' == | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="708" align="center | {| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="708" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Equipment''' | | '''Equipment''' | ||
| Line 174: | Line 176: | ||
This is only a preliminary list of questions you can ask in an interview. The kinds of questions will vary depending on your circumstances and the person you interview. Modify the questions or add to them according to your needs. | This is only a preliminary list of questions you can ask in an interview. The kinds of questions will vary depending on your circumstances and the person you interview. Modify the questions or add to them according to your needs. | ||
• What is your earliest memory? <br>• What were some of your family’s traditions?<br>• What was the happiest day of your life?<br>• Tell a story your mother or father told you when you were young. <br>• What places have you visited?<br>• What family heirlooms do you have? <br>• What childhood games did you play? <br>• Tell about a childhood hiding place.<br>• What were Sundays like when you were growing up? <br>• Describe your feelings or testimony of Jesus Christ. How did you gain that knowledge?<br>• What prayers have you had answered?<br>• Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.<br>• Do you remember any of your grandparents? Any great-grandparents? What were their names? What were they like? <br>• What were your siblings like?<br>• What trips or vacations do you remember? <br>• What special events took place in your neighborhood while you were growing up? <br>• What was your hometown like?<br>• What were politics like there?<br>• How many people were in your family? Describe each family member.<br>• What kinds of household chores did you do as a child? Which did you enjoy? Not enjoy? <br>• What aunts, uncles, or cousins do you remember? What were they like? <br>• Tell about family traditions for holidays and birthdays.<br>• Did you belong to any clubs or social groups? What were they like? <br>• What were your favorite childhood activities?<br>• Did you serve in the military? If so, where and when? What was it like?<br>• What special school memories do you have? Who were your favorite teachers? <br>• What challenges did you face as a child?<br>• What challenges have you faced as an adult? <br>• How did you first meet your spouse?<br>• How did your father spend his time?<br>• How did your mother spend her time? <br>• Tell about ancestors you know about—names and dates and any stories about them. <br>• What are the names of your children? What are their birth dates, where were they born, and what were the circumstances of their births, and their lives? <br>• Tell about some of the most notable people in your hometown. <br>• Tell about some of your neighbors as a child, as a youth, and as an adult. <br>• What changes have you seen in your lifetime in technology, society, politics, and so on? <br>• Tell about the house in which you live. Where else have you lived?<br>• Tell about the house you lived in during your childhood. Do you remember addresses or phone numbers? | • What is your earliest memory? <br>• What were some of your family’s traditions?<br>• What was the happiest day of your life?<br>• Tell a story your mother or father told you when you were young. <br>• What places have you visited?<br>• What family heirlooms do you have? <br>• What childhood games did you play? <br>• Tell about a childhood hiding place.<br>• What were Sundays like when you were growing up? <br>• Describe your feelings or testimony of Jesus Christ. How did you gain that knowledge?<br>• What prayers have you had answered?<br>• Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.<br>• Do you remember any of your grandparents? Any great-grandparents? What were their names? What were they like? <br>• What were your siblings like?<br>• What trips or vacations do you remember? <br>• What special events took place in your neighborhood while you were growing up? <br>• What was your hometown like?<br>• What were politics like there?<br>• How many people were in your family? Describe each family member.<br>• What kinds of household chores did you do as a child? Which did you enjoy? Not enjoy? <br>• What aunts, uncles, or cousins do you remember? What were they like? <br>• Tell about family traditions for holidays and birthdays.<br>• Did you belong to any clubs or social groups? What were they like? <br>• What were your favorite childhood activities?<br>• Did you serve in the military? If so, where and when? What was it like?<br>• What special school memories do you have? Who were your favorite teachers? <br>• What challenges did you face as a child?<br>• What challenges have you faced as an adult? <br>• How did you first meet your spouse?<br>• How did your father spend his time?<br>• How did your mother spend her time? <br>• Tell about ancestors you know about—names and dates and any stories about them. <br>• What are the names of your children? What are their birth dates, where were they born, and what were the circumstances of their births, and their lives? <br>• Tell about some of the most notable people in your hometown. <br>• Tell about some of your neighbors as a child, as a youth, and as an adult. <br>• What changes have you seen in your lifetime in technology, society, politics, and so on? <br>• Tell about the house in which you live. Where else have you lived?<br>• Tell about the house you lived in during your childhood. Do you remember addresses or phone numbers? | ||
== '''Appendix C''' == | == '''Appendix C''' == | ||