METHODOLOGY

This study uses a qualitative investigative approach as presented by Leavy (2022, 169-170) through the collection of data via ethnographic observations, artifact analysis, and face-to-face interviews directly with volunteer participants from the Telford community. With a phenomenologically oriented paradigm as a typical model for ethnographic research, this study is a qualitative investigation into the insider viewpoint of some of the life-long residents of the Telford community (Fetterman, 2010, 5). While the phenomenological paradigm accepts multiple realities, its use helps in understanding how people make sense of their everyday experiences (Seidman, 2013, 16-19). As the researcher, I conducted and recorded informal, semi-structured interviews with life-long residents of Telford as selected based on how long they lived in the community, coupled with their willingness to take part. As the key instrument in gathering and interpreting data through self-conducted interviews and examination of documents and artifacts, I used a set of self-developed interview questions (see Appendix). In addition, I gathered and analyzed multiple forms of data from archival sources such as interview transcripts, and public documents such as maps and photographs, to provide an ethnographic account of lived experiences from within the Telford community as further elaborated by Fetterman (2010). I also co-hosted an event at the Telford Ruritan Club known as a History Harvest as mentioned by Sommer and Quinlan (2018, 3-7) which was an opportunity for all Telford residents to share their historic photographs and documents as part of this research project in an effort to capture how contemporary residents view the history of the Telford community today.

To answer my central research question about how lifelong residents narrate the evolution of their community, I determined that I needed to gather several specific types of information. 

This included: 

1) eyewitness accounts and memories of key 20th-century events, such as the cessation of passenger rail service and the construction of Highway 11 East; 

2) descriptions of key local industries, businesses, and prominent community figures; 

3) anecdotes about community traditions, social life, and civic organizations; and 

4) privately held documentary and photographic evidence that could corroborate, contradict, or enrich the oral narratives. 

This multi-faceted information was essential for constructing a holistic picture of the community’s lived history.

POSITIONALITY STATEMENT

As a key instrument of the study as a researcher, my background and experiences most certainly influenced this study. I moved to Telford in 2014 after retiring from a 30-year military career, after never living in any one location for more than a few years and always having an interest in local history and culture as an insightful means of adapting to a new locale. As a newcomer to Telford, I encountered a curious lack of historic and cultural information unlike any other location I ever experienced and wondered how I could gain a better understanding of my new home. I briefly considered attending the local United Methodist Church as a means of connecting with the community for research purposes; however, I later learned about a local civic-minded organization called the Telford Ruritan Club. One of the stated purposes of the Ruritan Organization, among many, is the preservation of community heritage and history. The Telford Ruritan Club produced a pamphlet about the history of Telford in 1986 called Telford Roots: A Telford Homecoming Album, which can be found in the Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) (Williams). It is my intention to later create a current pamphlet or booklet for the Telford Ruritan Club using archival material and ethnographic data, that could be combined to tell the story of Telford for a new millennium, once this project paper is approved. While I continue to strive for objectivity, I have a sympathetic loyalty toward Telford as a community with a bias toward more positive stories, but I also believe that it is equally as important to include negative views about the development and evolution of Telford, which may or may not be appreciated by all members of the community equally.

PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT

This study was conducted in the Telford community, and the primary participants were lifelong residents. Early on, eligible participants had to be at least 18 years old who had lived most of their lives in and around the Telford community. Later on, it was decided to focus on recruiting the most elderly volunteers available. There were few ethical issues to consider, yet, as personal interviews may reveal sensitive information, an application was sent, as required to the ETSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) via Form 129 well before interviewing volunteers. The author received a letter of determination dated September 25, 2024, from the ETSU IRB to the effect that this research activity does not meet the definition of research involving human subjects. As such, documentation requirements are not as stringent. Other ethical considerations were addressed as follows (Leavy, 171):

1.      Informed, voluntary consent was obtained from participants prior to being interviewed.

2.   Each participant was informed verbally of research objectives and provided with a verbal description of how data would be used to create a contemporary historical pamphlet for anyone interested in the Telford community.

3.   Each participant was informed that participation is voluntary and that their consent to participate may be withdrawn at any time.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

To acquire the necessary information for this study, I employed a multi-pronged ethnographic approach. The primary methods of data collection were:

1.      Semi-Structured Oral History Interviews: The core of this study is built upon face-to-face, audio-recorded interviews with five of Telford's eldest lifelong residents. These interviews were guided by a set of open-ended questions (see Appendix below) designed to elicit detailed narratives about the community's evolution.

2.      Participant Observation: As a resident of the community, I engaged in ongoing ethnographic observation, particularly at the Telford Diner, the community's primary social hub. This allowed me to observe contemporary social dynamics and gather contextual data.

3.      Artifact and Document Analysis: I collected and analyzed numerous artifacts. This included publicly held archival materials from the Archives of Appalachia and the Washington County Department of Records Management and Archives (such as court cases, maps, and newspaper clippings). Crucially, it also included privately held materials shared by participants, such as family photographs, personal scrapbooks, and one-of-a-kind documents like the Athenian Society minute book.

4.      Community Engagement: I co-hosted a "History Harvest" at the Telford Ruritan Club to solicit historical materials from the wider community, and I engaged with residents on local social media pages to gather feedback on historical photographs.

DATA ANALYSIS METHODS

Initially, using The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers as a reference guide, the researcher analyzed interview transcripts for relevant themes which were categorized and organized in a computer database using MAXQDA for coding (Saldana, 2013). Data themes were categorized according to emergent patterns and chronology (Saldana). Archival documents such as deeds, land records, maps, and video recordings were also collected and analyzed. Photographs and documents, which were meant to be collected via the History Harvest event at the Telford Ruritan Club facility, did not produce the desired results (Sommer and Quinlan, 4). However, many privately held photos and news clippings shared by interviewed participants, and those held in archival records, were also collected and analyzed. As multiple data sources were collected and compiled, subsequent information was verified via comparison of interview transcripts, notes, archival documents, photographs, and internet searches as detailed. Follow-up interviews were conducted as needed. The findings of this study are presented within this research paper, and will be presented in the form of a small booklet or brochure with maps, quotes, and photographs, in the production of a contemporary compilation of Telford history useful for bridging any information gap for those interested in the development and evolution of this uniquely historic place in Southern Appalachia. In the meantime; however, in coordination with the Telford Ruritan Club, a collaborative decision was made to produce a much simpler, and more cost-effective tri-fold brochure used to further stimulate community interest in preserving its heritage and traditions for future generations.

RESEARCH CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS

In the course of this ethnographic research, I encountered several methodological and practical challenges that shaped the project and are important to acknowledge. Admittedly, this study was intentionally designed to capture the endangered memories of Telford's eldest lifelong residents. Consequently, its findings reflect a specific and vital generational perspective. The scope of this research did not extend to interviewing younger residents or newcomers, whose experiences of contemporary Telford would offer a valuable and distinct viewpoint. Future research could build upon this study by documenting these other perspectives to create a more multi-layered understanding of the community's evolution.

As a study grounded in oral history, the findings are based on the participants' subjective recollections and lived experiences. While these narratives offer unparalleled insight into the community's cultural memory, they are subject to the natural processes of memory over time. Discrepancies, such as differing accounts of historical events or social dynamics, are not treated as factual errors but as integral parts of the data, revealing the subjective and personal nature of how history is remembered and interpreted by individuals.

Early in the data analysis process, a methodological decision was made to shift from a formal coding structure within MAXQDA to a more holistic, phenomenological approach. This allowed for a deeper immersion in the subjective realities of the participants' narratives. A limitation of this approach is that the thematic analysis is more deeply interpretive and less systematically replicable than a formal coding process. This choice prioritized capturing the rich, holistic meaning of the participants' stories as the primary goal of the research.

Lastly, the planned 'History Harvest' event, intended to gather artifacts and stories from the wider community, yielded limited participation. This outcome represents a limitation in assessing the current level of broad community engagement with historical preservation efforts. It suggests that while deep historical knowledge lives within specific individuals, a potential gap exists between the importance of this history and active, widespread community participation, highlighting a key challenge for future preservation initiatives.

APPENDIX

Interview Questions:

1.       What can you tell me about the origins of Telford? Have there been any remarkable events in Telford that you can tell me about?

2.      Have there been any prominent leaders or figures in the community that you can tell me more about?

3.      What are some of the key industries or businesses that have played a role in the history of Telford?

4.      Are there any unique traditions or celebrations that have been passed down through generations in the community? Can you share any interesting anecdotes or stories that are well known within the community?

5.      Do you have any old photographs or documents that you can share with me and tell me more about? What efforts have been made to preserve and promote Telford’s historical heritage?

6.      Do you remember when there was passenger train service to and from Telford? If so, how do you think the end of this service affected the community?

7.      Do you remember the construction of Highway 11 East? If so, how do you think its opening affected the community?

8.      Has the overall demographic makeup of Telford changed from your perspective?

9.      What are your thoughts and feelings about the history of Telford as a community today?