Oral History Society Training
This course is open to anyone with an interest in using oral history as a tool for family history and research. It is not necessary to complete the BL/OHS Introduction to Oral History training day before you attend, but you may find it useful to do so later to develop your interview technique and knowledge of recording equipment, copyright and other topics relevant to conducting your own interviews.
An Introduction to Oral History for Family Historians will enable you to:
- understand what oral history is and how it can be applied to family research
- identify and access existing oral history material in local and national archives, and consider how to use it in your research
- be aware of the ethical issues that may arise when conducting oral history interviews with family members
- consider how you could leave a record of your own life for future generations of your family
- be aware of basic requirements for conducting your own interviews
Places are limited to twelve per day course, and demand is likely to exceed places, so please apply early. Each course is led by a BL/OHS Accredited Trainer with experience in conducting family research.
Course Dates
Programme
Course starts at 10 am
- Welcome & introductions
- What can oral history offer the family historian?
Morning coffee break (provided)
- ‘I wish I’d asked before they died…’ and 'I wish I'd asked while I could...' : using oral history to explore the lives of those who have died or are no longer able to speak for themselves
- Where can I find existing oral histories and how can I use them?
1 pm - 2 pm Lunch (not provided)
- Recording and using oral history in your research:
- Formulating questions
- Basic interview technique
- Ethics
- Documenting and storing your recordings
Afternoon tea break (provided)
- Presenting the results of your oral history family research
- Recording your own life: what ‘testimony’ would you like to leave your family for the future, and practical ways of doing so?
Course ends at 5.30 pm