Oral History and the Family

A Tool for the Documentation and Interpretation of Family History

Abstract

Family history has become a matter of concern for both academics and policy makers in recent years. During the same period oral history has emerged as a method used in many scholarly studies. For some it is a discipline in its own right, for some it is a technique to be used field by field, while for others it is viewed as a part of the popular culture. After the television adaptation of Alex Haley's somewhat controversial but highly influential book, Roots, use of genealogical materials at the Library of Congress increased markedly, giving a real boost to the popular pursuit of the past. This article will discuss the role of oral history in the documentation and interpretation of family history.