Oral history refers both to a method of recording and preserving oral testimony and to the product of that process.
It begins with an audio or video recording of a first person account made by an interviewer with an interviewee (also referred to as narrator), both of whom have the conscious intention of creating a permanent record to contribute to an understanding of the past.
A verbal document, the oral history, results from this process and is preserved and made available in different forms to other users, researchers, and the public.
A critical approach to the oral testimony and interpretations are necessary in the use of oral history. Hearing history from the mouths of those who experienced it really brings those times and events and feelings back to life in ways that are consistently compelling and often inspiring.
Our oral histories are available from our website and can be listened to at your convenience anywhere. It is a collection that is continually growing. New interviews are added as they become available. You can visit our SoundCloud or click on a name below to listen to that individual's oral history.
Oral Histories in our collection
Lois Abrams [1:08:37]
Biography and transcriptionJohn Angevine [43:59]
Ed Berrill Part 1 [38:36] / Part 2 [101:36] / Part 3 [29:42]
Bolte (part1) [59:25] & Wilson (part 2) [29:22]
The Combs Family Part 1 [1:01:56] / Part 2 [101:59] / Part 3 [36:09]
Rutt Curtiss [1:21:38]
Shirley Tanner Downs Part 1 [47:55] / Part 2 [12:50] / Part 3 [14:17]
Leslie P. Ernhout Jr. [45:52]
Marylyn Hendricks [1:03:56]
Bill Hopkins [1:05:02]
Brad Johnson Part 1 [29:04] / Part 2 [46:22]
Elaine Layman Part 1 [55:39] / Part 2 [42:43]
Jim Maguire [44:18]
Dorothy Maier [12:14]
Biography and TranscriptionRichard Morgan [56:11]
Jeanne Mosher Part 1 [1:02] / Part 2 [9:57]
Mulvehill Family Part 1 [1:0130] / Part 2 45:43
David A. Mackenzie Part 1 [51:31] / Part 2 [49:22]
Abe and Edna Nichols. [40:42]
Link to Transcription
Ellen Paul [30:31]
Beecher Perkins [32:51]
James Perkins Warren and Family History 1967
[16:20]James Perkins Warren and Family History 1968
[27:04]Ruth Schnell [47:31]
David and Elizabeth Swift [1:02:03]
Luke Tanner [1:14:12]
Hank Tanner [52:00]
Val Taubner / Dave Richardson
Part 1 [1:01:29] / Part 2 [20:33]Shannon Strong [1:11:03]
Dewey Young [27:49]
WHS Roundtable discussion of the proposed Iroquois Pipeline through Warren Ct [46:52]
Discussion of Industries in Warren recorded in 1967 (Part 1)
Roundtable discussion [21:41]
Link to transcription.History of the Warren General Store as told by Orlando B. Swift 1968
[14:33]
Link to transcriptionHistory of Warren School System recorded in 1967
Roundtable discussion [21:16]Memorial Day 1961 [8:49]
Link to transcriptionMemorial Day 1969 [45:39]
Taverns, Cemeteries and Industry recorded 1967
Roundtable discussion [24:47]
Link to transcription