Select a dozen photographs that are important to you and tell the stories they bring to mind.
This part of life is one that everyone has opinions on. You have stories to tell whether you run your own business, worked for or with someone else, or just had to pay the bills. People who are going to follow you need to know how you handled these problems, good or bad. Answering these questions can help your descendants make wise decisions.
Spiritual life has a different definition for everyone. For some it may mean participating in organized religions; for others it may mean communing with nature. Hearing your stories can tell people important things about you because they are very personal.
The following questions are based on the Veteran’s History Project Sample Interview Questions. Some questions may not apply to every veteran. Before an interview, learn as much as you can about the veteran. This will help the interview go better.
You might find it helpful to learn about any wars the veteran fought in and to look at maps of the places where they were stationed if you are the interviewer.
Higher ranks may be asked about battle planning. Those who sustained injuries may be asked about the circumstances.
Thank the veteran for sharing his or her recollections and for their service. Tell the veteran that if he or she signs a release form, his or her story can be kept in the Library of Congress and read by people in the future. For veterans and interviewers to sign, the Veterans History Project website has release forms that can be found at
Oral histories provide a profoundly enriching way to preserve and share personal experiences and memories. By conducting thoughtful interviews, we can gain priceless firsthand insights into how major events shaped people’s lives.
If you’re interested in capturing a loved one’s unique history, this guide will help you craft an engaging oral history interview. We’ll provide tips, sample questions, and examples for conducting a memorable interview.
Why Personal Histories Matter
Oral histories serve several important purposes:
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Preserve memories – Firsthand experiences are perishable. Recording them creates a lasting archive for future generations.
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Gain perspectives – Personal accounts provide authentic viewpoints on how events impacted real lives,
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Understand history – Individual stories humanize historic milestones, making them relatable
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Share wisdom – Life lessons, values, traditions, and advice can inspire others when shared.
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Strengthen connections – Interviewing loved ones fosters deeper bonds and understanding.
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Leave a legacy – Passing down our histories is a meaningful gift to family and community.
By taking the time to interview relatives, friends, and neighbors, we ensure their unique stories are forever preserved
Preparing Impactful Interview Questions
Carefully planned questions will encourage rich responses that create a vivid portrait of your subject’s life journey.
Cover key biographical info – Start with basics like their full name, birthdate, where they grew up, siblings, parents’ occupations, etc. This establishes context.
Ask about childhood – What were their interests, favorite memories, schools, friends, challenges? How did childhood shape them?
Discuss cultural influences – What cultural traditions, foods, values, and holidays were significant? What role did faith or spirituality play?
Talk about important relationships – Family bonds, friendships, mentors, partners – how did these connections impact their path?
Explore pivotal historic events – How did major events like wars, social movements, technological advances affect their experiences?
Capture a time capsule of their era – What was day-to-day life like? Typical food, fashion, entertainment, customs?
Discuss work life – What jobs did they have? How did work shape their identity and perspective?
Document wisdom gained – What are their philosophies on life, family, resilience? What advice do they have for future generations?
Share hopes for the future – What future do they envision for family and community? What matters most to pass on?
Example Oral History Interview Questions
Here are some sample questions to inspire rich responses:
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Walk me through a typical day when you were my age – what did life look like?
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What world events had the biggest impact on you as a young adult?
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What values were most important in your family? How did you try to pass these values on to your children?
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Can you tell me about some of the hardest times in your life, and how you made it through them?
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What traditions or rituals were important in your family? Why did they matter?
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How did roles for women and men change throughout your life?
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What invention or technology changed life the most during your lifetime?
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Looking back, what are you proudest of? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
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What lesson or piece of advice would you want to pass on to future generations?
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If you could talk to your 20-year-old self, what would you say?
Tailor your questions to the unique contours of their life. Follow their lead to craft an interview that captures their spirit.
Tips for Conducting Memorable Interviews
Here are some tips to help you carry out compelling oral history interviews:
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Pick a quiet spot – Choose a private, quiet location without distractions.
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Use a recorder – Get audio/video recordings to preserve every detail. Always ask permission first.
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Take notes – Jot down follow-up questions or moments you want to revisit.
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Let them talk – Avoid interrupting. Let silences prompt elaboration. Follow their conversational flow.
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Ask open-ended questions – Encourage detailed stories by asking “how”, “why”, “describe”, “explain”, etc.
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Don’t force it – If some topics make them uncomfortable, move on. You can revisit later if it feels right.
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Express gratitude – Thank them for sharing their memories with you. Express how much it means.
Recording personal histories enriches lives and communities. By taking the time to plan thoughtful questions and have engaging conversations, you’ll preserve priceless memories to cherish for generations. What story will you capture today?
Conducting an Oral History Interview
What questions can I ask during an oral history interview?
The following sample questions can be used during an oral history interview. Please feel free to take questions directly from this list, or tailor them to fit you and your narrator’s goals and needs. Introductory What is the story behind your name? Where and when were you born? Where do your ancestors come from?
What questions are asked in a history interview?
The interviewer is not looking to catch you out, but rather for you to demonstrate your curiosity, knowledge and passion for History. “How am I able to do that?” You might be asked general interview questions so that the interviewer can learn more about you – review our list of General Interview questions to prepare.
What is a history interview?
This method of interviewing is used to preserve the voices, memories and perspectives of people in history. It’s a tool we can all use to engage with and learn from family members, friends, and the people we share space with in an interview that captures their unique history and perspective in their own words.
What should you read in an oral history interview?
You should read both primary and secondary sources related to the era, topic, or theme of your interview. According to the Oral History Association, “Oral history interviews seek an in-depth account of personal experience and reflections, with sufficient time allowed for the narrators to give their story the fullness they desire.
