"I didn’t know an archive was free and open to the public. It was an invaluable experience." - Bec
Photographer: Damian Walker
A group of 12 young people have spent three days at the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) learning all about how to conduct Oral History interviews. The course, led by LMA interpreter Maureen Roberts, covered ethical guidelines around gathering people’s life stories, the four golden rules of interviewing and how to use audio equipment to get good results.
The volunteers, aged 16 – 25 years, also had a tour of the Archives and were given time to conduct their own research into the 1950s and 1960s using the fascinating range of archival records available on the museum’s internet database.
The three day workshop was very practical and ‘hands on’ and the group had plenty of opportunity to familiarise themselves with audio equipment and interview each other.
By day three, all had mastered the four golden rules of interviewing; (1) ask open questions, (2) remember who is in the spotlight, (3) listen and (4) be respectful; and were really looking forward to being further involved with gathering oral histories for the Hanging Out project.
See photos from Day 1 of our Oral History Workshop at the London Metropolitan Archives on Monday 7 February 2011:
oral history video 1 (20038 KB) 
