Oral Histories are some of the most fun and fundamental things that historians and genealogists alike do. The Local History and Genealogy Department offers patrons Oral History Kits to record and share their own stories and histories.
What even is oral history?
Oral history preserves our past by using recorded and transcribed interviews for future use. It is one of the oldest forms of gathering historical information. Historians can study this as part of their undergraduate or graduate degrees and even become oral historians. Anyone can take part in oral histories, and they can be shared with the world or kept in your family for personal use.
Some famous oral history projects include the Appalachian Oral History Project which focused on people living in the Appalachian mountain region of America, The Brown Vs. Board Oral History Project which talks about the desegregation of American schools from the people who were there to see the change, and Memory of Nations which gathers people from Central Europe to share their experiences ranging from war veterans to Holocaust survivors, to members of the secret police and the communist party. All of these projects have been shared with the public online.
Oral history is not oral tradition.
Oral tradition is a part of many cultures, and it is a way to pass down historical information to future generations through oral communication. Many Native American tribes have oral traditions in their culture. It is important to differentiate between oral history and oral tradition because they are two different disciplines and have different cultural significance.
How do I check out an Oral History Kit?
Simply go to our catalog and put a hold on one or ask a staff member at any of our branches to help you place a hold.
What are in the Oral History Kits?
The kits have everything you need to start your own oral history project. They include a voice recorder that creates digital audio files of your interview, lapel-microphone, and interview questions on several topics including family history, military service, and more.
If you need more assistance with using the recorder or conducting an oral history interview, the Local History and Genealogy Department offers free one-on-one appointments to help you with using the voice recorders, interview techniques and crafting questions. You can also register to attend an upcoming Tech Petting Zoo: Oral History Kit program.
If you have any questions about the Oral History Kits, please contact us at 859.962.4070 or email history@kentonlibrary.org
Written by Kirsten Dilger, Local History and Genealogy Programmer, Covington Branch
Reserve an Oral History Kit Here: https://kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S184C801928
Request an appointment with the Local History and Genealogy Staff Here: https://www.kentonlibrary.org/genealogy/genealogy-appointment-request/
Links to Oral History Projects:
https://www.memoryofnations.eu/en/archive
https://www.nps.gov/brvb/learn/historyculture/oralhistories.htm
https://omeka.library.appstate.edu/collections/show/7
Learn more about Native American Oral Tradition:
https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/storytelling-and-oral-traditions
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