Your Lifestyle

Oral history

Oral history is an account of something passed down by word of mouth from one generation to another; it can be recorded by tape, video or by simply passing from one person to another through conversation or a story. It is a two-way process in which someone shares memories with an interviewer who has carefully planned an interview, and the past then becomes alive.

Oral history can be used in various ways such as: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other groups who prefer the use of oral history as a way of recording their culture, to trace and record the history of a local community or family and to encourage younger people to listen to and remember the lives of the older generations.

There are many resources for anyone interested in using oral history as a way of recording the history of their family. Following the methods and practices will ensure that you record history in an ethical manner and it will also enable you to preserve voices, accents and vocabularies of the individuals interviewed.

The Oral History Association of Australia has branches in all states and territories. If you would like to find out about the methods and best practice of recording oral history, or to attend one of the many local or national meetings, then contact the Oral History Association of Australia.

Each state and territory library also has an oral history section if you would like assistance in finding the necessary resources or to learn how to record oral history:

• National Library of Australia
• State Library of New South Wales
• Northern Territory Library
• State Library of Queensland
• State Library of South Australia
• State Library of Tasmania
• State Library of Victoria
• State Library of Western Australia