Preserving African American Oral Histories in South Carolina

Preserving African American Oral Histories

Oral Histories

About This Resource

African American oral traditions are ancestral heritage passed down to us – a storytelling thread connecting generations throughout history. Rooted in this tradition, oral histories tell us much about the past that cannot be learned from traditional sources. Recording oral histories is preservation – an opportunity to preserve elders and communities telling their own stories, in their own words.
Within this Oral Histories topic page you will find resources curated from across the SC Preservation Toolkit related specifically to preserving African American stories through oral history. Whether you are new to this work or a long-time advocate, this page’s blog posts on oral histories, related How-To Guides, helpful resource links, and relevant Tools will help you be successful in preserving your family or community’s African American storytelling traditions.

Knowledge Center

Ask an Oral Historian: Dr. Valinda Littlefield

Ask an Oral Historian: Dr. Valinda Littlefield

By:  Dr. Valinda Littlefield May 28, 2024 The Ask an Expert series features Q + A’s with people who are experts in a particular field or who have a depth of knowledge around historic preservation. We ask experts a variety of short answer questions and ask for...

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How To Guides

Explore a range of best practices, tips and tricks with our handy “how to” guides before you start your preservation project.

How to Collect Family Oral Histories

A guide to doing informal oral histories of your family or local community to save their stories and passed down knowledge.

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How to Preserve Your Family Artifacts

A guide to protecting and saving your family artifacts.

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How to Explore Your Family History

A guide to doing your own genealogy or family history research.

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Helpful Resources

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How to Conduct an Oral History Interview

Tips for getting started collecting oral history interviews.
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What’s Out There Guide to African American Cultural Landscapes

A database/guide to Black cultural landscapes featuring research + essays on more than 140 sites, an interactive map, and 30+ profiles of designers, artists, and others who shaped the American landscape.

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Lowcountry Oral History Initiative Toolkit

How-to guide for community oral history projects.
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Preserving Black History Resource List

Collection of mapping projects, context statements, organizations, podcasts, and stories to share the different ways that Black History is being preserved and shared.
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Preserve Black History in Your Own Backyard Toolkit

A resource-filled toolkit to help communities explore the contributions of Black Americans to national history.
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9 Questions to Ask When Using Social Media to Save Places

Tips and tricks for building out a social media strategy for preserving historic places.

Preservation Topics

I Want To Learn About

Go deeper and gain valuable knowledge, tools and insights around preservation topics that interest you. Your first and best stop to learn how to move your passion or project forward.

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