the stages of an oral history project
Research and mapping the field of action
After defining what he/she wants to work on, the historian will have to find out more on the chosen subject. This is done through research.
Preliminary research is crucial to the project. It allows you to develop a better understanding of what you propose to study, the period of time in which it took part, places and other related themes.
Based on the information that was you were able to collect, you need to map your field of action. This basically means defining relevant location(s) for your study. After all, people’s memories are related to the places where they lived, where spent time.
Who to interview and how to address the public in an oral history project
The griot (or griotte) Marilda de Souza tells students the story of the quilombo community and the slaving farms in the coast of imperial Brazil. Presentation of the project “Passados Presentes” [Present Pasts] (November 2015), at the Bracuí Quilombo (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).
Where to go
the location or surroundings can assume great importance, due to the memories associated with them. Someone who has first-hand knowledge of a particular location, building or landscape can contribute valuably to the identification and characterization of a function, occupation or relationship that may exist, through the stories that he/she might have to be told.
Using a map or performing a partial or even full interview in one or more places of interest to our project could prove to be an asset when compared to an interview in a living room or office.
Organising information and support documentation
Essentially, what we refer to as prior information to the process of the interviews is a clear and concise summary that will allow a future understanding of the documents to be created during the next phase. The notes of the interviewer/historian help the transcriber or other fellow historians and researchers (as well as any other future users) to better understand the interview, the interviewee and the contexts.