ABSTRACT
The interview is the primary tool of oral histories. Once a staple of historical research, the oral histories are once again becoming popular among libraries and universities as archives of eyewitness accounts. Furthermore, with the growing interest in genealogy, amateur family historians are finding oral histories an invaluable tool. Learning Objectives: The successful reader will be able to explain how oral histories are used in both academic and family research; follow the steps in an effective oral history interview; how to transcribe and preserve an oral history; and explain how genealogists and amateur family historians can create an oral history of their own. Key Terms: oral history, archival record, transcript, tape quality, transcription, reality monitoring, narrative, and genealogy
