The development of oral history
The oral history method was already used in the 19th century by French historian Jules Michelet, who interviewed eyewitnesses of the French Revolution. In the 20th century, Paul Thompson further developed the approach with his influential book The Voice of the Past.
In the Netherlands, oral history gained importance after World War II. Historian Ben Sijes used interviews to document missing details of the February Strike, as official records lacked personal accounts.
From the 1960s onwards, interest grew in the stories of workers, women and other underrepresented groups. Historian Selma Leydesdorff founded the Association for Historical Oral Documentation, which later became the National Working Group on Oral History. The women’s movement in particular played a key role in the method’s development, seeking to highlight women’s contributions that were often ignored in traditional historical narratives.
The power of oral history
Since the 1990s, UNESCO has recognised oral sources as an important part of intangible cultural heritage. Oral history not only helps to preserve stories, but also supports the transmission of knowledge and memory across generations.
Telling and recording personal stories gives people the opportunity to share, interpret and preserve their experiences. Listeners and viewers experience these stories in an intimate way, contributing to a richer and more inclusive understanding of history.
Want to learn more or start your own oral history project? This page offers practical guidelines and tips. Click on the step-by-step plan and follow the workflow to guide you through the process.