New Oral History questions...

It seemed a challenge, but I generated a list of questions for my narrator for our first (MIHC) oral history interview to be conducted within the next week or so. His childhood was rich with recorded information (about the turmoil and civil war), so the intent of this interview is to glean a different perspective - that of a child, and what it felt like as a teen to watch peace finally come to his country.

Taking pride in my research skills, ever improving, I devoured books and scholarly articles and local publications (new and old) to develop a sense of the history of Ireland. I dove into the deep end, and I lost sight of my narrator. I created questions built around the history I had read about; I was prepared to wow him (did NOT do purposefully) with my new knowledge so that we could hold a conversation. But, an oral history is not a conversation...it is not a documentary. It is similar to a dance, where the leader is supposed to be the narrator. My background research is designed to help me ask better follow-up questions; it is designed to allow me to help him if he loses a particular detail that could distract him to the point of derailing the whole interview; it is designed to make the narrator more comfortable in our relationship as narrator and interviewer. Every oral history recorded is a reflection of this relationship.

So, I need to start again...and here's is my base point, so far. After the biographical questions, about family and where he attended school...I asked:

• Have you taken advantage of the freedom of movement to travel in any of the EU countries?
• where have you been?
• where would you still like to visit?
• Can you share some of the history of Ireland (the island) and show how it became two countries: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?
• Can you tell me more about the differences, as you understand them, between the IRA, IRB and other paramilitary organizations?
• what types of action did they take?
• what were the results of their efforts?
• What was the root cause of all of this civil unrest?
• Describe what a typical childhood day was like during "the Troubles" in Northern Ireland?
• which factions were causing the civil unrest?
• did you ever see any violence?
• did you see evidence of violence - the aftermath? such as?
• what was the primary method of violence?
• do you recall any significant exchange with any of those men that you want to share?
• looking back, did you understand their intentions in talking to you?
• What did you see as the reality of the violence?
• How did the media portray those instances of violence to the world?
• how did that make you feel?
• As a kid, did you feel safe on the streets during this time?
• When did the majority of the violence stop?
• What was it like for you family watching the peace process come together?
• How did the signing of the Good Friday Agreement change your life?
• What changes did you see happening in some of the larger cities around Ireland after peace was achieved (1998-2003)?
• How did those changes affect your family?
• What else changed or shifted?
• What happened in Ireland and Northern Ireland when the economy started failing?
• Last week, the Maine Irish Heritage Center honored Senator George J Mitchell for his role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. When Mary asked that all Irish born join him for the presentation of the Claddagh award, what were you thinking as you approached the stage?
• What did it mean to you to meet George Mitchell?
• Did you speak with him?
• How has moving to Portland, Maine changed your life?
• Looking back, how do you think all of your childhood experiences shaped who you have become as an adult?
• Which parts of your Irish history and experiences will you share with your own children?