National Day of Listening - November 28, 2014
What will you listen to on Nov 28 that you would like to be able to play back in 5, 10 or 20 years? This is the time to record it!
The National Day of Listening on November 28, 2014, is one day set aside to remind us to listen, to record for posterity, something important to us, to our family, to interested others. This of all the Oral History programs going on today, and what they can do to make our tomorrows better.
I often write of recording and sharing Family History stories. Have you recorded the voices of your family elders telling family stories? This is the perfect time to do this. What better time, when family is together around the Christmas and New Year's family gatherings - to Listen, and record, stories of your family.
StoryCorps.org, one of the coordinators of activities of the National observance, for 2014, is recording stories of active military personnel, veterans, and their families. Is this something that you should become a part of? Give it some consideration.
The image is of my professional level audio recorder with which I have personally gathered oral history recordings for several projects. Join me this year in this effort.
National Day of Listening reference links
- National Day of Listening official website
This is one starting point for learning more about this 'holiday' - National Day of Listening Wikipedia stub page
This is a useful descriptive page with many other reference links. It is considered a 'stub' page, so will be undergoing changes. - StoryCorps.org official site
More general information regarding this Audio History Project site; one of the sponsors of National Day of Listening. - Oral History on WIkipedia
A great general background on the history of Oral History - Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History
To really learn how to do Oral History projects please review this site for your use. - Oral History Association official website
If you are really serious about Oral History, this is the place to go - What is Oral History?
Before you get into an Oral History project very far, you will want to check this discussion.
2014 Blog LInks on National Day of Listening
- Blog links, follow them back
My Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories blog entries for 2014 season with links to other, related activities - and, some really neat stories! ;-)
Amazon Spotlight Personal Review - Marantz PMD661 Portable SD Recorder
This is the currently available Marantz recorder that is an upgrade from the one of mine that I like so much. It is commonly used by professional reporters in their work. It is easy to use but has very high quality output that can be downloaded directly to your computer.
Do you have an audio recorder? - What do you use it for? Used it lately?
Do you have an audio recorder?
Audio Recorders on Amazon
Who should you be listening to and recording this year?
In addition to veterans and activie military personell!
All of you who read me regular know I will say - gather family stories! Well this is one source, in the photo image of my grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather - would I love to have done interviews with each of them!
Of course, you have the opportunity, in most cases, to interview, ask questions, and record them, of your father, your grandfather, and perhaps, your great-grandfather, if you are really lucky. What will you ask? Will you let them talk, and tell you stories of their youth?
Having a few old photos, perhaps of their youth, will really get them to talking. Have you had success with this?
Digital Recorders on Amazon
As Abigail Adams said, "Don't forget the women!"
She really said that to her husband, John Adams! ;-)
Wouldn't you like to interview and get the stories of these ladies. One settled a ranch in western Kansas when there were only very few people there, at all. What is comparable among your older aunts, today? Do they recall events in World War II? Do they recall rationing, working in factories while their husbands were off to war? Even Korean and Vietnam periods of history are slipping away! Did they vote regularly? Where there problems?
What was it like to raise children in the early years? Did they go to church? Did they go to college? Get that information recorded this year, on the National Day of Listening!
Amazon Spotlight Personal Review - Listening Is an Act of Love - A book edited by Dave Isay from StoryCorps.org
This book is based on the StoryCorps.org oral history project of interviews with ordinary people - as many as 10,000 ordinary Americans have told there stories that are covered in this book.
Your Comments are greatly appreciated! ;-)
AUTHOR@DeborahDian: For sure! ;-)
We need more days designated to listening!
- AUTHOR
@halloweenprops: Glad you stopped by. Hope you have a chance to record some oral history of your family! ;-)
When I saw the lens title I thought it was a day to remember why we have 2 ears and 1 mouth! It's a great idea to record stuff! :)
- AUTHOR
@LisaDH: Absolutely. Love it. Great memories. To share and share! ;-)
What a great idea! These days practically everyone shoots photos and videos with their smartphones to record "now," but sometimes it's fun to also remember "then." We did a video interview with my grandma a number of years ago and asked her all kinds of questions about how she met my grandpa, etc. It was fun for everyone!
- AUTHOR
@PlethoraReader: It was a pleasure to become involved. I need to add my several blog posts as links on my lens. Thanks for the visit, like, comment, and blessing! ;-)
I have been a huge fan of StoryCorp for many years, thank you for helping to bring attention to this very important topic. Blessed!
- AUTHOR
@DIY Mary: Good for you. Hope it works out well! ;-)
This is the first time I'd heard of this holiday. It has inspired me to carry around a small tape recorder to have on hand in case some family member or older friend starts telling a story that I may want to capture for posterity.
- AUTHOR
@SayGuddaycom: Who really know??!! ;-)
Do you think it's a coincidence that my wife is planning on being in China on this day? Hmmmm, I'm getting suspicious of her motives.
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