The Oral History Society in England says “In 2019, at the Oral History Society Regional Network Event on the theme of Creative Uses of Oral History, held at the British Library, a number of speakers shared their expertise and creative responses to oral history. Many of those present found it inspiring and exciting. Creative approaches in the field of oral history have garnered widespread interest and attention from oral historians, creative practitioners and funders. There is growing awareness that art can be an invaluable bridge to communicate ideas, share information and involve audiences.” Read full article here which includes “Snapshots”, a project by Sarah Gudgin who visited Australia in 2012 and gave a presentation at the State Library of Queensland.
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National Library & COVID-19
“In the 101 years since the ‘Spanish Flu’, the world has changed. Penicillin has been discovered, there has been a second World War and technological advancements have seen man walk on the moon and a device created that fits in your pocket that contains most of the knowledge known to the world. This device has increased the number of people with access to breaking news and largely changed the way it is consumed. It also means that the way we record history has changed. Gone are the days where the printed daily newspaper was the single source of truth. Now, people turn to websites and social media for to-the-minute updates on developing situations, like COVID-19.” Read full story here.
American University COVID-19 Project
“What does the coronavirus pandemic mean to you? How has your life been impacted by social distancing, illness, or remote learning, among other changes? How are you living your daily life? How are you staying in touch? These are among the many questions driving a university-wide initiative called the COVID-19 Documentation Project.” Read full story here.
Record Your Own Oral History
This is a website which asks people in Hawaii to record their experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They can then upload their recordings through Google. Perhaps we could do something similar in Australia. See website here.
Pandemic in New York City
A tribute to a Jackson Heights bike shop, a diary entry from a teenager and a rainbow painted by 4-year-old “Lizzy” are among the items, stories and oral histories being collected by some of New York’s cultural institutions to capture life in the city during the pandemic. With every day in flux and guidance evolving on how to conduct life, researchers, oral historians and archivists say it’s essential to document snippets of the wide range of experiences New Yorkers are having. For full story click here.
Americans in Great Depression
A sudden crisis turns the world upside down. Millions are thrown out of work. People despair and dread the future.That was the grim scenario many Americans faced almost a century ago after the 1929 stock market crash triggered the Great Depression. And many people are experiencing it today as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the US and the rest of the world.Commentators have drawn parallels between our current time and the 1930s, saying the pandemic could trigger the same type of economic and political upheaval that marked the Depression. But there’s another part of that era that can illuminate the present: Lessons from those who somehow managed to emerge from the Depression with their optimism — and in some cases, their finances — intact. For full story click here.
ANZACs at National Library
“Imagine if you could reach out with a microphone to the past, back as far as World War I, and speak to an original Anzac who had just returned from the front to an influenza epidemic that would go on to kill more people than the war itself. Their voices can be heard, and their faces can be seen at the National Library of Australia’s website. The National Library of Australia is the nation’s historian, preserving our books, recordings, documents, maps, papers, media items and even websites. For full story click here.
Australian Pioneer Aviator Dies
“A pillar and icon of the Australian Women Pilots Association (AWPA), a flying instructor of extraordinary ability and empathy, a true pioneer of general aviation in Australia, Senja folded her wings this week, dying at home on Tuesday at the age of 93. A friend and mentor to many women pilots, Senja Robey was a living treasure of aviation in Australia, and her death has created a hole that is unlikely to be filled for many years yet.” Read full story here. Listen to an interview with Senja Robey here. Her interview is part of the E.A. Crome aviation oral history project at the National Library.
WWII Veteran killed by COVID-19
“In his early 90s, Emilio J. DiPalma’s family moved him into a home for veterans in Holyoke, Mass. As a young man from Springfield, Mass., he had fought in Germany at the end of World War II and stood guard during one of the famous trials of Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg. Now he would live out his days among other veterans.” Read full story here. His video oral history is here.
Michigan COVID-19 Project
“The Michigan History Center has announced a new collecting initiative that gives residents the opportunity to share stories that reflect their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the benefit of future generations. The COVID-19 pandemic is a critical moment in history, and the Michigan History Center is committed to documenting – through objects, archival materials, stories and experiences from diverse Michiganders – how the coronavirus is affecting Michigan residents in the workplace, at home, in communities and in many other settings.” Click here for full article. Also click here to see the website.