Setting Up Your Own Project

How can I record Oral History?

Have you ever chided yourself for failing to record the memories of an elderly relative or friend before it was too late? Did you tell yourself that you were too busy or didn’t have the right equipment? Just think how many extraordinary stories have been lost because no one got a tape recorder out in time.

Collecting oral history is easy and rewarding. Most people are keen to pass on their experiences. This page will give you the basic information to set up an oral history project or to go and do some recording for yourself. If you have any further questions, please ring the Record Office or History Centre and ask for a member of the Oral History Team.    

What do I need to record Oral History?

It doesn’t really matter what sort of recording equipment you use, the important thing is to have a go. A tape recorder or minidisk recorder are the best options, but if all you’ve got is a Dictaphone or an ancient reel-to-reel machine, then that will do. You might also want to consider using a video camera.

For our recording projects we use a variety of tape recorders: semi-professional Marrantz recorders, simple Sony’s or minidisk.

How can I get an oral history project started in my community?

You need to start with a clear idea of why you want to make the interviews. For example you might decide you want to use them to:

• Create a book or leaflet
• Form part of an exhibition
• Be used in talks or presentations
• Accompany old photos
• Be lent out to the local school, social club or care home
• Create a community archive so local people can listen to them   

You also need a theme for your project. This could be:

• An event eg. World War Two, flooding
• A place eg. Your village, work place, church or school
• A subject or several subjects eg. Shopping, transport, farming

How can the Record Office Help?

When you’ve decided on the aim and theme of your project, contact the Record Office. We are here to give you:

• Support and guidance
• Important information on copyright and confidentiality
• Advice on setting up a project in your community or parish
• ‘How to get started’ pack
• Training
• Information on other oral history projects in the County