Patti Goebel wrote:
> Dear Brent,
>
> You are most correct in identifying our neglegence. How often I've =
> heard someone say "We should have brought a camera!" or "What year was =
> that?"
I am not so sure it is negligence; more often we just don't think of it.
We don't have a historical perspective and just need a reminder.
FYI here are guidelines I received two or three years ago, from the US
Baha'i National Archivist Roger Dahl. Though it may not apply in your
Baha'i community -- did you say you are in Alaska? -- it may still be of
interest.
Brent
ORAL HISTORY GUIDELINES
1. A successful interview requires previous research on the life and
activities of the interviewee. The interviewer should come to the
interview with a list of prepared questions or topics to be covered.
2. The interviewer will often want to start the interview by getting some
general background and family information from the interviewee. The
interview can then proceed chronologically or by topic.
3. The interviewer should be flexible enough to be able to explore
unexpected information or a new trail of inquiry not covered by the
prepared questions if one should suddenly appear. This is why a good
grasp of the subject being discussed is so valuable.
4. A basic purpose of oral history is to fill in gaps in manuscript or
printed sources or to elaborate on them. Manuscript material is
considered to be archival when it has permanent historical,
administrative, or religious value and will be used by researchers in the
future. The same criteria also applies to oral history interviews.
5. Before the interview begins the interviewer should discuss with the
interviewee any restrictions the interviewee may want to place on the use
of the tapes. The National Baha'i Archives would prefer not to have any
restrictions but is willing to accept reasonable restrictions on access or
copyright if the restrictions have a definite time limit. A letter
detailing any restrictions should be sent with the interview to the
Archives. Upon receipt of the tapes, the National Baha'i Archives will
send a deed of gift to the interviewee.
6. The interviewer should be friendly and courteous.
7. The interviewer may want to do more than one interview, if the subject
warrants it and the interviewee is agreeable.
8. The interviewer should phrase his questions carefully and keep them
short so that the interviewee is free to express his own ideas and
knowledge. The interviewer should avoid leading questions.
9. A letter of appreciation should be written afterwards.
10. The interviewer should keep careful records of who is interviewed,
when and where. Each tape should be labeled with the name of the
interviewer and interviewee, place and date.
24 July 1980
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