Oral history

Naming oral history files

You should have a standard way of naming your oral history files. This should include:

• The date the file was created
• The collection the file relates to
• The individual interview number in the collection (add zeros to the beginning to ensure the computer files it chronologically)
• The track number of the interview that the file refers to (add zeros to the beginning to ensure the computer files it chronologically)
• Whether the file is a preservation or access copy (you could use 'P' or 'A')
• The format of the file (eg '.tif or '.jpg')

For example, the preservation copy of the second track of the first interview in the Helen Smith archive, recorded on 7th October 2021 could be: '2021-10-07_HS001_02_P.tif' The access copy could be '2021-10-07_HS001_02_A.jpg'

Describing and cataloguing recordings

Create a catalogue record for each recording. Include the following extra fields in addition to the standard cataloguing fields: 

• The date of interview
• The file names
• The file paths for the preservation and access copies (these should not be made public)
• A basic description of the recording, for example 'Interview of John Davies of Market Langthwaite about his life and career, by Ian Watkin' - enter this in the title field
• An interview summary - enter this in the description field
• The time periods discussed, eg '1940s' - enter these in the 'subject' criteria field