Before the Interview: Obtain Consent and Review Materials
Explain the purpose of the record, its scope of use, whether it will be made public, and how consent can be withdrawn. Review photos, documents, diaries, and timelines in advance, but do not let predetermined conclusions limit the story.
When Asking Questions: Start with a Scene
“What was the courtyard where you lived as a child like?” is usually more likely to evoke details than “Please introduce your childhood.” Prioritize open-ended questions, ask only one thing at a time, and give the narrator ample time to pause.
When Following Up: Fill In Verifiable Information
When you hear “later I went out of town,” you can continue by asking where they went, who they went with, how long the journey took, why they went, and what they first saw. Do not use leading questions to draw conclusions on the narrator’s behalf.
When Differences Arise: Preserve Multiple Memories
Oral memories and archival records may not always be consistent. Transcripts should faithfully preserve the account, while archival verification, family additions, and editorial notes should be marked separately during compilation.
After the Interview: Back Up, Transcribe, and Follow Up
Keep at least two copies of the original recording; retain timecodes in the transcript; names, dates, and sensitive content should be reviewed by the person concerned or an authorized family member. Important questions can be revisited over multiple follow-up interviews; there is no need to cover everything in one session.