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Living History

What is an oral history?

Collecting oral histories is one of the best ways to shape the story of any community. By sharing your story, you help provide a glimpse into the history and lives of those who have lived, worked, immigrated, played, and so much more here in Wood Village.

Oral histories, while often recorded as audio, can also be submitted as written stories. The information and questions below can be used for inspiration as you consider what story, or stories, you would like to share as we celebrate seventy-five years as a city.

Just like our community, we hope the stories we gather reflect the incredible diversity of Wood Village, so please feel free to share your story in whichever language you feel most comfortable writing or speaking.

Getting Started

  1. What is your full name?
  2. When and where were you born?
  3. What jobs have you held? What do you do for a living now?
  4. What languages do you speak?
  5. What are some of your earliest memories?

Family History

  1. What are some family traditions or customs you remember?
  2. Do you know stories about how your family came to Wood Village?
  3. Who are your parents? Did you have any siblings? Pets?
  4. What do you know of the country where you or your family immigrated from?
  5. Why did you or your family decide to immigrate?
  6. What were some of your or their experiences and difficulties of beginning life in a new country?
  7. Describe the house you grew up in. Describe your room.
  8. How did/do you maintain connections with family back home?

Community History

  1. Describe growing up in Wood Village. How has it changed over time?
  2. Describe your neighborhood in Wood Village.
  3. Where did you shop? How did you get to the store?
  4. What were your favorite places to go as a child?
  5. What did people do for fun in the community?
  6. Who were some of the interesting or memorable people in the community?
  7. What are your memories of significant local events?
  8. How did major historical events (e.g. WWI, WII, the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, ’08 housing crisis, etc.) affect you and your family?
  9. What did your community look like outside of your family?
  10. What are some of your fondest memories of life in Wood Village?

School

  1. Where did you go to school? What was school like for you?
  2. Did you have any memorable teachers?
  3. What were your plans after you finished school?