Build a mind you’re proud of.
Memory is evidence with a perspective
Oral history records people's recollections and interpretations of the past.
The idea
Interviews preserve experiences that documents may omit. Memory and later context can reshape an account, so comparison remains important.
An example
A worker's interview adds daily experience to a factory's official records.
Put it into practice
Value the testimony while checking dates and other evidence.
Further reading: Oral History Association ↗
Test yourself: Why compare an interview with other sources?
Memory can change and perspective matters
An interview is valuable evidence, but neither memory nor documents are flawless.
Explanation and illustrative examples by One Card Wiser. Source linked for further reading.
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