Oral History Notes and Tips

I've been taking oral histories for almost 20 years now, and have probably made just about every mistake in the book. I've jotted down some notes and tips that I hope will help you learn from my mistakes, and also from my successes.

Notes and Tips on Taking Oral Histories

Why Oral History?

            “Every old man that dies is a library that burns”

 — Amadou Hampate Ba, African ethnographer

First and foremost, oral history is a ‘dying art.”  Photographs, books and documents sit on dusty shelves until we have time to examine their offerings.  When someone dies, his or her information is lost forever – unless it has been captured on paper, on tape, or electronically to preserve it and pass it on to future generations. 

      Oral history fills in the gaps of history.  All too often the conquerors write history – politicians, military officers, for the most part upper class white males.  Oral history allows many other voices a chance to tell their story.  Women, minorities, laborers, and immigrants – people from all walks of life share their knowledge, experience, and values with a greater number of people as a result of oral history.

      Oral history is an easy way to increase the body of information.  With an inexpensive tape recorder and a little training, almost anyone can become a part of the oral history process.

It gathers data not available in written records about events, people, decisions, and processes.

The local perspective, grassroots history of an area can be presented through oral history when no other means works.  Only those who have lived in an area know the “real story.” Publishers rarely publish books for limited interest groups or local markets.

Consider history’s purposes when planning your project, selecting narrators, and writing interview questions.  

The personal benefits of participating in oral history, whether you are the interviewer or the narrator, are indescribable.  Everyone has a story, words of wisdom to pass on, triumphs and tragedies. They want to relive romances fondly remembered, good times, things we no longer do.  And everyone can learn from narrators, what is of value in life, how we came to be the way we are.

There are also practical applications.  Why did the town chose to grow this way, how did companies succeed, “what worked and what didn’t” in all areas of our lives.  How did things change, and by what actions, what we can do to prevent bad things from repeating themselves, and how we can encourage and help people. Much of this information is in the minds of our elderly, not on paper. 

The History of Oral History

Thucydides wrote in History of the Peloponnesian War [431 BCE]

"And with regard to my factual reporting of the events of the war I have made it a principle not to write down the first story that came my way, and not even to be guided by my own general impressions; either I was present myself at the events which I have described or else I heard of them from eyewitnesses whose reports I have checked with as much thoroughness as possible."

Thucydides set a precedent for the judicious use of oral testimony, and historians following in his footsteps continue to debate the proper handling of evidence offered in personal accounts.

Oral history preserves the personal recollections of participants and witnesses to unique historically and culturally valuable information.  It is not an end in itself but another lens through which to view the past.  It not only serves history, but also anthropology, political science, psychology, sociology and many other disciplines.

With preparation and empathy, interviewers help retrieve distant memories.  The interactive process clarifies patterns from their experience that narrators might not have realized on their own.

Memory is a subjective instrument for recording the past, shaped by the present moment and the individual psyche.   Oral history can reveal how individual values and actions shaped the past, and how the past shapes present-day values and actions.

Eight Easy Steps for Oral History Projects

1.       Research: review local state, and U.S. history, especially eras and topics common to narrators in your area — ranching, tourism, WWII, the Depression

2.       Consider “big picture” questions: immigration, economy, gender roles, occupations, politics, social life, religion, folkways, traditions

3.       List expected information sought

4.       Create a list of possible questions, topics, and groups of people to interview.

5.       Interview the Narrators

6.       Process the tapes – either a full transcription or index of what topic are where on the tapes

7.       Make the information available; cataloged in an archive, published form, etc.

8.    Evaluate the process, BEGIN AGAIN!!

Before the Interview

            By now you have brainstormed about a list of important events and topics you want to cover, and also have an idea of who you want to interview and what your final product will be.  The following are some steps you should take before you start the tape recorder.

1. Research

This important step often makes the difference between a valuable record and a reminiscing chat.  Whether you are a professional historian, relative or amateur, we hope you will take your responsibility seriously and learn about the times and people surrounding your subject first.

Nothing takes place in a vacuum.  Geography, past events and their participants influence your subject.  The more you learn about these influences the better questions you can to ask, leading to a clearer understanding of why things happened and the lessons we can learn from them.

If you are not already a history fan, skimming basic world history and American history texts will be helpful.  Libraries often have audio or video history series if that is more convenient.  You should focus on 20th century American history, but events in previous centuries influenced immigration patterns and choice of settlement areas, as well as economic, political and social hierarchies.

When you’ve absorbed the general history of the era and location, narrow your focus by reading books or pamphlets about local history.  Visit your local historical society or museums and attend lectures or local tours. You may want to read about various professions (i.e. mining or ranching) or the histories of various cultures or historical events your narrator may have experienced.

Once you have a list of prospective narrators, you may be able to find newspaper clippings about them at your historical society or library.  Also, talk to longtime community residents, relatives or people in the same or related professions as your narrator to see what they are noted for.

2. Contact 

Call the narrator and introduce yourself, explain your project and their importance to it.  This is your first chance to establish rapport with your subject.  Present your information clearly, pleasantly, and with respect. Let them know that their experiences will be valued and respected. 

The Arizona Historical Society has developed a “Biographical Information Form” that the narrator or a relative can fill out.  Ask the narrator to fill out the form and arrange to drop it off and pick up the completed form in time to review it before your interview.  Give your narrator a general idea of the subject matter you hope to cover, but avoid detailed descriptions.  Specific questions may lead to prepared responses, affecting the spontaneity and candor of the interview. 

Set a specific time and place for the interview.  The time should be most convenient for them, and the narrator’s home is usually the best place.  Avoid locations with distractions.

3.  Make a List of Questions

Once you’ve done your research and reviewed the biographical form, prepare an outline or list of questions to be asked at the interview.  You don’t have to stick directly to them; in fact, interviews where questions are curtly and quickly asked give an impression that the interviewer does not care and is not listening to the responses.  Your list of questions should serve as a road map and can help get you back on track if the narrator, or you, digresses.  It also avoids leaving something out.

4. Reminder call

Call the narrator the day before the interview to confirm your appointment. Remind them of the general topics you hope to cover, and reassure them that their experience and information is important to the project.  Suggest that they might bring out yearbooks, clippings, photos, etc.  If you found photos or clippings about them in your research, bring them along and make copies for narrator to keep.

During the Interview

1. Test the equipment
2. Slate (record the date, project, people involved at the beginning of the tape) and label tapes.
3. Break the ice with pleasantries, weather, surroundings, and people you both know and respect. Then begin with brief, guiding questions.  “I understand your grandfather came around the Horn to California.  What did he tell you about the trip?”
4. Ask questions that cannot be answered “yes” or “no”.  “What did the cowhands think of the ranch owner?”
5. Ask one brief question at a time, get all information possible, move on.
6. Check off questions as you go and note topics already discussed.
7. Write down follow-up questions, new directions, and other possible narrators while listening to responses.
8. Start with less controversial questions to establish rapport and pace, build up to and end with “interview stoppers” (i. e. why did you bulldoze that land?)
9. Do not pass judgement or give opinions, not even with expressions or body language.
10. Don’t fear silence.  Relax, jot some notes and wait while they consider their response.
11. Give physical cues, nod and smile.  Make eye contact if appropriate for their culture.
12. Assure them that names and dates aren’t all that important, you can look them up.  It’s personal experience we’re looking for, and a rough sequence of what happened.
13. Don’t be too polished, it’s okay to fumble questions, puts them at ease.
14. Ask probing questions with sensitivity  — back off if you are upsetting the narrator.
15. DON’T INTERRUPT a good story because you’ve thought of a question.  Jot it down and ask it later.
16. DON’T TALK TOO MUCH! This is the hardest part, continue to watch for it.
17. Shepherd the narrator back onto the topic.  Don’t get interested in divergences.  “Before we move on, I’d like to ask . . .” can help put you back on track.
18. Take your time and make sure you’ve covered what you came for.
19. Ask for a physical description if narrator can’t describe someone’s personality.
20. Find out narrator’s involvement in events.  Where you there when . . ., Did you work for . . .,  Did you know Mr. Greenway?
21. Don’t challenge what you think may not be true.  Ask more about why they think that.  Point out that others have related something differently, see what they say.  “I have read. . . I have heard . . .”
22. Avoid off the record information.  Promise that you will erase it later.  You are obligated to do that if you said you would. 
23. Keep the tape running, even after you think you’re done.  Don’t hide it, but sometimes as you’re leaving they add good information.  Watch the sound level meter or light to make sure they are coming across loud enough.
24. Beware of background noise. Ask to move to another room, have workers move to a different chore, etc.
25. Interviews usually work better if no one else is in the room.  If there are more narrators, each should be recorded separately. There are exceptions, when the narrator is too shy, that a friend may help.
26. End after an hour and a half.  This helps you, too. Sharp listening takes energy. 
27. Don’t use the interview to show off your knowledge, vocabulary, or charm.
28. Get release forms signed. 
29. Tell narrator what happens next.
30. Write or record impressions of setting, mood, weather, and circumstances right afterward.

Interview Checklist      

          You may find it helpful to get a large book bag and keep all your oral history tools there so they are always with you and you don’t have to round them up.

Photographs may be appropriate to:

1. Record the setting
2. Capture personality or flavor
3. Illustrate a skill or process
4. Show characteristic lifestyle and household details

Get permission to photograph, note it on the release, and tell the narrator if you plan to give them a copy.

After the Interview

1. Listen to the tape, jot down major topics, interesting answers, missed cues to new questions.
2. Note places where subject could have said more on a subject.
3. Were the “Big Questions” addressed?
4. Was it unique material or just another “how we fed the pigs story?”  Was it a mere listing of teachers’ names, or socially informative details of classroom life?
5. Is another interview warranted? If so, develop new questions from your tape notes and perhaps new research.
6. Evaluate subject’s cooperation, reliability.
7. How successful was the interview?  What could be improved for next time?
8. How does the information fit with what we already have for the whole project?
9. Does it validate or refute earlier information?
10. Does this interview fill in gaps, or is it just more of the same?
11. Meet with advisory board and/or other interviewers, share topics and information gathered; consider new questions.
12. Consider enlisting other narrators suggested by this interview.

Processing the Tapes

1. Make copies of the tapes.
2. If transcribed by someone else, have interviewer read the notes and edit.
3. If a full transcription is made, give a copy to narrator for editing and approval.
4. If the tape is for public access without transcription, create an abstract or tape log
5. For Cataloging, Finding Aids: Collaborate with local library, university, or larger historical society.  Contact Melanie Sturgeon or Gladys Ann Wells at Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. www.dlapr.lib.az.us (602) 542-4159
6. Don’t let everything sit in a shoebox! Catalog, index, and make accessible. 
7. Use quality tapes.  60-minute cassettes are not as thin, less likely to break or jam.
8. Make working copies to avoid wear and tear on the originals.  Store back up tapes in a separate building from originals, if possible.
9. Store in a cool, clean, dry area away from magnetic fields (microwaves, computers).  Avoid fluctuations in temperature. Store off the floor to prevent flood damage.
10. Place tapes vertically on the shelf.
11. Store tapes in the original containers.  For additional protection, place in plastic bags.

Transcribing tips

1. Start each page with narrator name, date, project name
2. Number the pages
3. Type with one-inch margins, double-spaced.
4. When necessary for clarity, identify each speaker with initials and colon — JT:
5. Omit “umms” and “ahhs”, but do type uh-huh for yes if that’s what they said.
6. Enter the tape recorder footage meter reading every quarter page.
7. Retain speech patterns whenever possible. Note foreign language in [brackets].
8. Question mark before and after if not sure of what you heard — ?employed?
9. Bracket interruptions [phone call].
10. Mark inaudible words with “___” — indicate multiple words with “__+” estimate time elapsed when narrator pauses for considerable time.