Learning how to interview is one of the most important skills for genealogists, family historians and others. What are the proven techniques and methodologies? How do we plan a project to gain the information we need?
To help answer these questions, there's a one-week advanced institute on methodology, theory and practice of oral/video history scheduled at the Regional Oral History Office of the University of California Berkeley, August 10-14.
It is designed for academic, independent, public and community scholars engaged in serious research that in some manner utilizes oral/video history and/or interview-based methodologies. Only 30 participants will be accepted, the cost is $800 and and the application deadline is May 1.
Presentations will cover project planning, preparation for interviewing and interview techniques, interview analysis, legal and ethical responsibilities such as copyright and human subject protection requirements.
The goal is to strengthen participants' skills to conduct research focused interviews and to consider the special characteristics of interviews as historical evidence.
Special attention will be given to how oral history interviews can broaden and deepen historical interpretation situated within contemporary discussions of history, subjectivity, memory, and memoir.
Participants will also work in small research interest groups led by faculty with similar interests.
For more details, click here.
Showing posts with label Interviewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interviewing. Show all posts
24 February 2009
07 September 2008
Vancouver: Oral history workshop, Sept. 21
Readers in Vancouver, BC, Canada now have an opportunity to learn the techniques of oral history interviewing.
The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC will offer training for novice and experienced interviewers from 1-4pm September 21. The workshop cost is $25, or $5 for those who are already interviewers with the Jewish Historical Society of BC.
Irene Dodek - who has been interviewing survivors for the Shoah Foundation - and archivist Janine Johnston will lead the training.
Individuals who take the workshop may be interested in getting involved in the JHSBC Oral History Project or in the Vancouver Holocaust Education Center's Survivors Testimonies Project. This class will also assist family history researchers and genealogists as they prepare to interview older relatives.
Among the topics will be the difference between oral history and oral testimony, the role of the interviewer, dealing with difficult topics, interviewing methodologies, skills and technique.
To register (by September 14), call 604-638-7286.
The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC will offer training for novice and experienced interviewers from 1-4pm September 21. The workshop cost is $25, or $5 for those who are already interviewers with the Jewish Historical Society of BC.
Irene Dodek - who has been interviewing survivors for the Shoah Foundation - and archivist Janine Johnston will lead the training.
Individuals who take the workshop may be interested in getting involved in the JHSBC Oral History Project or in the Vancouver Holocaust Education Center's Survivors Testimonies Project. This class will also assist family history researchers and genealogists as they prepare to interview older relatives.
Among the topics will be the difference between oral history and oral testimony, the role of the interviewer, dealing with difficult topics, interviewing methodologies, skills and technique.
To register (by September 14), call 604-638-7286.
13 November 2007
Just the facts: Holiday gatherings
Thanksgiving (for readers in the US) and Chanukah are only a few weeks away. Plan to advantage of family gatherings to collect information on your family's unique history.
Think about taking pictures and also video holiday dinners. Prepare and send questionnaires in advance for guests to complete and bring to the gathering. You could threaten not to give them dinner if they don't turn in the answers, but that's not really nice - just don't give them dessert!
Hopefully, the gatherings - at your house or at the relatives - will include several generations. In addition to questionnaires, make sure to give the attending guests the latest updates to your family history research.
Record older generations telling the stories they heard from their grandparents, as well as younger generations asking questions about the family.
There are many oral history websites offering hundreds of possible questions. among the most useful for older generations:
Where did our family come from?
What was our original name?
Are there any unusual stories about our name or origin?
Do we have any famous or infamous ancestors?
How did our family get here? (wherever "here" is)
Do we have branches in other countries?
What was the first family event you attended as a small child?
Younger generations might want to know how parents and grandparents met, how earlier generations immigrated on ships or train, and how they walked from home to school and back again twice each day - uphill both ways - in high snow drifts.
Try this ice-breaker: Write questions on slips of paper, fold them and let each guest select one. They can choose to answer the surprise question themselves or ask the question of someone else.
Search the web for "Oral History questions" or check the great resources here on Cyndi's List.
Think about taking pictures and also video holiday dinners. Prepare and send questionnaires in advance for guests to complete and bring to the gathering. You could threaten not to give them dinner if they don't turn in the answers, but that's not really nice - just don't give them dessert!
Hopefully, the gatherings - at your house or at the relatives - will include several generations. In addition to questionnaires, make sure to give the attending guests the latest updates to your family history research.
Record older generations telling the stories they heard from their grandparents, as well as younger generations asking questions about the family.
There are many oral history websites offering hundreds of possible questions. among the most useful for older generations:
Where did our family come from?
What was our original name?
Are there any unusual stories about our name or origin?
Do we have any famous or infamous ancestors?
How did our family get here? (wherever "here" is)
Do we have branches in other countries?
What was the first family event you attended as a small child?
Younger generations might want to know how parents and grandparents met, how earlier generations immigrated on ships or train, and how they walked from home to school and back again twice each day - uphill both ways - in high snow drifts.
Try this ice-breaker: Write questions on slips of paper, fold them and let each guest select one. They can choose to answer the surprise question themselves or ask the question of someone else.
Search the web for "Oral History questions" or check the great resources here on Cyndi's List.
13 January 2007
Interviewing relatives about family history
Are you considering interviewing relatives about your family's history?
If your relative is elderly, don't procrastinate in making contact - you will regret it forever if you are too late.
According to this story, there are some ways NOT to do it.
The author discusses undesirable interview styles it describes as 'ambush', 'que sera sera', 'I'll remember everything', 'marathon' and 'accusatory.'
Positive steps to take include preparing a list of questions that will elicit more than monosyllabic yes or no answers (remember, rambling can produce good information), phoning first to make an appointment, keeping sessions a reasonably compact length for seniors and making sure you have camera, tape and video recorders to capture the moment.
Another good suggestion is to have your questions ready even before you make that first call, since your relative may want to talk right then and there.
If your relative is elderly, don't procrastinate in making contact - you will regret it forever if you are too late.
According to this story, there are some ways NOT to do it.
The author discusses undesirable interview styles it describes as 'ambush', 'que sera sera', 'I'll remember everything', 'marathon' and 'accusatory.'
Positive steps to take include preparing a list of questions that will elicit more than monosyllabic yes or no answers (remember, rambling can produce good information), phoning first to make an appointment, keeping sessions a reasonably compact length for seniors and making sure you have camera, tape and video recorders to capture the moment.
Another good suggestion is to have your questions ready even before you make that first call, since your relative may want to talk right then and there.
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