Background

Many historians rely on written or printed material. Yet, much of what we know about the past comes from collections of oral history. In fact, most ancient cultures passed down their history through the spoken word, mainly through oral storytelling.

Collect oral history

Collecting oral history can be fun but takes a bit of practice. Before you begin an interview to collect information, make sure that you have a specific theme or idea on which to focus. Don’t choose a topic that is too broad. Topics or ideas that focus on a certain issue, event, or person work best.

1. Practice your interviewing skills with a topic you know well—YOU!
2. Think about the day you were born. What happened? Who was there? What was going on in the world? What important events took place?
3. Interview people who were there when you were born. Compile a list of 10 questions to ask before you begin to interview anyone. Record your interviews with a tape recorder or take notes during each interview.
4. Once you have finished your interviews, put together a scrapbook page using the information you gathered.