Blog

Using objects in interviews

“It’s a recent trend in books and magazines to sum up subjects or periods of history by discussing a series of carefully—or randomly—chosen objects. One example is the British Museum’s “A History of the World in 100 Objects.” It’s really a new take on the old idea of a “conversation piece.” You can use this technique to inspire several generations to trade histories.” Read full story here.

Cambodian Oral Histories

“It is often mistakenly said that “history is written by the victors.” This is not true, and Cambodia’s history vindicates this point. The survivors of the Khmer Rouge were not the victors, but they are heroes, and as heroes, we must capture their oral history. Most history originates as oral history, and we must recognize the important role that oral history plays in the great tasks that lie before us.” Read full story here.

Great Depression in USA

“Coastal Review is featuring the work of North Carolina historian David Cecelski, who writes about the history, culture and politics of the North Carolina coast. Cecelski shares on his website essays and lectures he has written about the state’s coast as well as brings readers along on his search for the lost stories of our coastal past in the museums, libraries and archives he visits in the U.S. and across the globe.” Read more here.

Collecting Irish Songs

“A small collective of intrepid and inquisitive young Irish musicians have taken it upon themselves to rescue a tradition of song when perhaps no-one else was willing to listen. With an emphasis on the Irish, Scottish, and English traveler communities, their project aims to put the elders of a nearly-past generation in front of a microphone, to enshrine their songs and stories for musicians and folklorists to hear and study for all time.” Read full story here, link to website here.

“Soul Talk” OH Workshop

“Kelly Elaine Navies discusses oral history as the documentation of history and culture, as well as offer guidelines for recording the stories of people in your family and community. She gives advice on how to get started and plays a few short clips from fascinating interviews that exemplify best practices — and show just how important and moving your subjects’ replies may be.” Check out this story with it’s excellent tutorial video here.

Proposed Irish OH Project

“Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State Brandon Lewis proposes a series of measures to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland which features three key proposals: a new independent body to “focus on the recovery and provision of information about Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries;” a “major oral history initiative;” and a statute of limitations to apply equally to all Troubles-related incidents.” Read full story and watch video of the proposal here.

Srebrenica Genocide Project

“100 testimonies of Srebrenica genocide survivors were filmed over the past year. The interviews focus on survivors’ experiences before and during the war, as well as their recollections of the genocide, with the intention of showing the culture and customs of the community in Srebrenica.” Read more and watch videos here.

Slaves Oral History

This book one of the best telling the story of slavery using oral histories collected in the 1930s. “In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration commissioned an oral history of the remaining former slaves. Bullwhip Days is a remarkable compendium of selections from these extraordinary interviews, providing an unflinching portrait of the world of government-sanctioned slavery of Africans in America.” To listen to the slave narratives here.