Preserve Your Story: Record Your Oral History

Audio and video recordings are one of the best ways to make sure family stories are never lost. Your story is also part of Montclair’s history.

Let us help. Our professional staff can conduct an oral history with you or your family and make it available online for the public. Contact us at mail@montclairhistory.org or 973-744-1796.

Prefer to do it yourself? You can record your own story, or a loved one’s, for your family’s records. The steps and ideas below will help you get started.

EQuiptment

Use the technology you already have. A smartphone or computer is all you need to record a story.

iPhone or Mac: Use the Voice Memos app.
Android or Windows: Use the Voice Recorder app.
Video or long distance: Zoom lets you record yourself on video, or a family member who lives far away.

Before you begin, do a short test recording. Play it back to check the sound quality and make sure you know how the application works.

Capture data before you start

When you begin recording, say the following out loud:

• Your name

• Today’s date

• Where you are

• Who else is present

This helps future listeners know exactly who is speaking and when and where the story was recorded. An example could be: “My name is Jane Doe. Today is October 14, 2026. We’re at my home in Montclair, and I’m here with my grandson, Joe Doe”

Prepare for Your Questions

Plan ahead what you want to talk about or ask a family member about before recording an oral history. You may also choose to record a few short oral histories over a period of time on different topics rather then all at once.

Gather Information. Whether the oral history is for you or a family member, its great practice to have an idea to prepare questions ahead. If you are recording a family member, you will want to go over the types of questions you plan to ask so they feel prepared and you can do research if needed.

Below are some basic questions to consider if you are not sure where to start. Oral histories can focus on very specific events, time periods, or memories, plan this ahead and discuss with family.

Family Information:

• Name of parents (and grandparents if warranted):

• Name of siblings:

• Name of spouse (including maiden name if applicable)

• Name(s) of your children if applicable:

Family Connection to Montclair and Beyond:

• When did your family first move to Montclair?

• When did you live in Montclair?

• Where did you live in Montclair? (address or neighborhood). Describe the neighborhood you grew up in.

• What community groups or churches played a big role in your life? 

• Where did you go to school?

• Did you play any sports?

• What did you/your family do for a living? 

• What is your earliest memory?

• What did you do for fun as a kid?

Questions to take the conversation/oral history a step further:

• What was school like for you?

• Who was an important influence or mentor?

• How did you choose your path or career?

• How did you meet your partner?

• What are you proudest of?

• What do you want people to remember about you?

• What was a difficult time, and how did you get through it?