Questions
Below are some sample questions to help you begin doing oral histories. Of course, the questions you choose will be unique to your interview and you are not limited to what you find here.
" I was working at Chanute Field the night of Pearl Harbor and the MP's, you couldn't move without being checked that first day. In fact, from the gate to the hospital I was checked three times"........Earl Smith.
General Knowledge
When and where were you born? Who were your parents? Did you have any brothers or sisters? What is your full name? Did you have a nickname? How did you get it?Family
Who were your grandparents? Your aunts and uncles? Where did they come from? When and why did they come? How did they earn a living? Were there any special holiday traditions in your family? Who did you spend your holidays with? How did you celebrate Thanksgiving?Education
What is the first school you attended? Tell me about your school day. How long did you go to school there? What did you play at recess? How large was your school? What did you do after school? What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you go to college or trade school? What did you study there?Everyday Life
What kinds of clothes did you wear? Did you have special clothes for school, church, or holidays? What foods did you eat? What was your favorite meal? How does the typical food of today compare to the food you remember from childhood? What kind of chores did you do? What was your favorite hobby? Who was your best friend? What was the neighborhood like that you lived in?Recreation and Entertainment
What kind of sports were you interested in? What kind of music did you listen to? Who was your favorite musician? Movie star? What did you do on dates? Where did you go?Special Events
How was a birthday celebrated? What was your favorite gift? How did you meet your husband/wife? Describe your wedding. Tell about any special traditions you used to have and ones you still have.Historical Events
What historical events took place in your lifetime? Where were you when _________ ? How did this occurrence affect you personally?
For more information on Oral Histories please contact the Early American Museum at early@cu-online.com
