The importance of real history
In any community there is an enormous repository of local historical knowledge in the memories of its citizens. There may have been some momentous event in the past which affected many people; or there may be just a memory of when some particular building was demolished or built.
During the second and third years of the project we have captured the memories of some of our villagers. We trained our volunteers to undertake the work of meeting people and assembling their recorded memories. Each interview was undertaken by the interviewer, accompanied by a supporter. The role of the supporter included:
- Fulfilling the requirements of “Safeguarding” (i.e. being a chaperone for all parties)
- Helping the interviewee to complete the Consent Form, whilst the interviewer set up the equipment
- Keeping track of the passing time
Each interview was then transcribed to a text document.
It is hoped to interview some more individuals during the final year of the project. At the conclusion of this activity, the digital recordings and the transcriptions of them will be handed to Teesside Archives. They will thus be available to future researchers and historians.
skeltontownscapeheritage.org.uk 