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We're currently living through an unprecedented time in modern history. Many people feel that it's important to record our experiences for future historians, researchers, and members of the public to learn from. Reflecting on what we're experiencing may also just be helpful for our present and future selves.
And if you're quarantined at home with family, now could be a good time to get to recording your family history.
Whether you'd like to focus on creating a record of life right now during the COVID-19 pandemic as a "time capsule," or help record the story of a member of an older generation's prior life experience by creating an oral history record., here are resources to help.
Here you'll find resources for helping you interview friends and family.
Quarantine Documentation Resources
Quarantine Documentation Resources
Graphic designer Jennifer Long came up with the idea for this "time capsule" packet, saying, "We are all living through history and something I have said I wanted to do from the beginning is make a keepsake of this moment for us to look back on." This guided journaling/interviewing packet comes as a PDF form and can be printed out.
Inspiration
Inspiration
This New York Times article discusses the different kinds of personal accounts of how people are experiencing COVID-19 that are being created and collected. One of these projects, "A Journal of the Plague Year," is currently accepting submissions from people of all ages all over the world.
This article from the New York Times explores the variety of reasons your story has value, and why it might be a good idea to start a journal if you don't have one already.
Traditional Oral History Resources
Traditional Oral History Resources
This video from the Minnesota Historical Society provides an introduction to what oral history is, and why it matters,
This webpage from the UCLA Library provides exhaustive information on preparing, interviewing, equipment/recording, examples, and other resources. (For a more concise guide, see the resource featured below.)
This worksheet from the National Council for Social Studies provides quick tips for preparing, interviewing, and following up after the interview is complete.
This is a very thorough guide on oral history. It provides several pages of suggested questions to ask, as well as advice on presenting your findings (such as a "grandparent book.")
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