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Oral History Workshop

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.

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Oral History Workshop

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  1. Oral History Workshop Presented by Kerry Taylor and Mary Jo Fairchild for the lowcountry oral history alliance At the Citadel

  2. Defining Oral History 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 recording, preservation and interpretation of historical information based on the personal experiences and opinions of the speaker

  3. History of Oral History Oldest method of doing history Newest method of doing history

  4. 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) Allan Nevins, Columbia University

  5. Why Oral History? What makes it unique? Cautions • 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 memory • Interviewers 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

  6. Define Your Oral History Project (3 Steps) • Determine objectives • Book, creating a collection, audio documentary, performance • Balance your objectives with resources • Staff, time, finances • Narrow your focus • Be realistic and pare down your objectives

  7. 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:

  8. Contacting Narrators/Interviewees How to identify? First 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

  9. 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 The Importance of Background Research

  10. 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! Benefits of Research:

  11. Locations South Carolina Resources • Charleston County Public Library • Avery Research Center • The South Carolina Historical Society • Lowcountry Digital Library • South Carolina Digital Library

  12. Primary Source Materials Manuscripts Newspapers • Marriage, Death , Birth Announcements • Event Announcements, Headlines, and Circumstances

  13. Rare Books • City Directories & City Yearbooks, for example • Pamphlets • Oral Interviews • Photographs • Maps Primary Source Materials:

  14. Secondary Source Materials • Journal Articles • Books • Magazines • Dissertations • Bibliographies

  15. Interview Tips: Preparing Questions • Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered in background research • Avoid yes/no questions, instead ask open-ended questions • Use more specific questions when necessary to elicit more details, emotions or feelings related to the topic at hand. • Avoid leading or judgmental questions. • Present yourself as a novice

  16. 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

  17. Oral History Ethics and the Shared Authority • 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

  18. 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

  19. Restrictions (example):

  20. 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

  21. 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/

  22. THANK YOU!!!! Discussion and Questions??????

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