Assignment 2.

Since I will be pursuing oral histories of residents in Hayward, I cannot conduct much historical background information and primary sources just yet. I will need to get in contact with the individual(s) I will interview and find out some necessary background information before I can really start to dig into supportive historical documents and secondary pieces that correspond to my topic.

For now, I’ve been looking up information about conducting oral histories: how to prepare, what to bring, what types of questions to ask, how to follow-up, and the like.

I found a helpful pamphlet called “The Smithsonian Folklife and Oral history interviewing Guide.” While some of the sections of questions do not necessarily pertain to my goal, there were some very good questions that will jump-start my compilation of questions to ask during the interview.
How are holidays celebrated in your family? What are traditional foods found in your community? Have these traditions changed over time?
Can you draw a map of your local community? What places stand out the most? What memories come to mind?
http://www.folklife.si.edu/resources/pdf/InterviewingGuide.pdf


The T. Harry Williams center for Oral History has proved to be a great source of information regarding oral histories. There are links to different series of oral histories that belong to the LSU Libraries’ Special Collections, PDF version of their published findings, and recordings of oral histories. There is also a great version of a interviewee release form that I will use a reference.
Career, education, childhood, and family sections offered even more dynamic questions that will help me delve deeper into the world of the interviewee.
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/special/williams/interview_qs.pdf

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I have emailed my contact at the Hayward Area Historical Society to set me up with individual(s) that has/have expressed interest in being the subject of an oral history. I am waiting on a response.
I plan to record the interview and transcribe the interview for HAHS. The future use of the visual and written records of the interview can be helpful to scholars and other interested individuals.
I will post my interview questions once I've compiled my list.