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Oral History at YPL

Oral History at YPL

picture of two people talking in a recording study using microphones

 

YPL Oral History Collections

Family History Project 

Oral and written histories of families who live or used to live in Yonkers. 

Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis Collection

An oral history interview and materials that document Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis' fight for marriage equality.

African American Oral History Project

Oral history interviews and photographs of African American Yonkers residents. 

Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic in Yonkers

Oral history interviews with people about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assyrian American Oral History Project

Oral histories, videos, photographs, and written histories about Assyrian Americans and the Mon Mari Assyrian Church of the East in Yonkers.  

The Local History Project

Oral history interviews and photographs about the history of Yonkers and Westchester County.

Freedomland U.S.A.

This collection contains oral history interviews with author Michael R. Virgintino, author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, about the Freedomland U.S.A. amusement park.

Andy Hudak Calendar Reform Collection

An oral history interview along with various materials relating to calendar reform.

Yonkers Voices

Collection of oral history interviews of people who grew up and live in Yonkers, conducted in partnership with the Hudson River Museum.

Yonkers Remembers

Photographs, documents, oral history interviews, and awards preserving the legacy of veterans.

Yonkers Public Library Bookmobile

Photographs and oral history interviews relating to the Yonkers Public Library bookmobile.

Oral histories are recorded conversations that can spur us to learn more about ourselves and tell history from the perspectives of everyday people. YPL records and archives oral histories as part of our commitment to honoring the lives of Yonkers residents. 

Record and Share Your Stories with YPL!

As part of our commitment to preserving the diverse histories of Yonkers and Westchester County, we invite you to contribute your recordings to the YPL digital archives. Sharing oral histories with YPL help make those stories more accessible for the future, giving future library users a glimpse into the past through your stories. Click here to submit your interviews and other memories to YPL! 

Have questions about submitting to the archives? Please reach out to Michael Walsh at mwalsh@ypl.org.

Recording Guide

While recording oral interviews can seem like a big task, we’re here to make it as easy as possible for you. This guide will help you set up your recording and prepare your interview questions. 

For iPhones:  Voice Memos

Black button with a red and white icon of sound waves cut in half by a blue cursor.

  1. To begin recording, tap the red recording button.

    Red button to signal iPhone Voice Memos is not yet recording and needs to be turned on.

  2. To adjust the recording level, move the microphone closer to or farther from what you’re recording.

  3. Tap the recording button again to finish recording.
    Black button with a small red square in the middle of it to signal the Voice Memo is recording and needs to be turned off.

Your recording is saved with the name New Recording or the name of your location, if Location Services is turned on in Settings:

Gray and black gear logo for the Settings app on iPhones.

> Privacy & Security

To change the name, tap the recording, then tap the name and type a new one.

To fine-tune your recording, see Edit a recording in Voice Memos.

Note: For your privacy, when you use Voice Memos to make recordings, an orange dot appears at the top of your screen to indicate your microphone is in use.

 

For Android: Voice Recorder

Voice Recorder is an app for recording lectures, conversations, and other sounds (previously called Sound Recorder). 

Red button with a white microphone icon in the middle of it.

Hit the big Record button (1), and add markers (3) to identify key moments as you record or play (2). Then you can trim (5), rename (7), or share your recordings (4), which are saved in Documents > Sound recordings. Select the trash can icon (6) to delete your recording, or the three dots (8) for more options.

Annotated screenshot of the open Voice Recorder app available on Android devices.

Are you interested in using a sound studio, microphone, or professional camera to record oral history? YPL offers access to our Creative Studio, available at multiple branches of the library! Get started using the studio and its equipment by following these steps:

Reserving the Creative Studio

  • Go to www.ypl.org
  • Select Space and Services and Reserve a Room
  • Select Find by Room and choose Creative Studio under Room Type.
Screenshot of YPL website displaying a menu with the information Search by Room Type and Library Branch.
  • Instructions on how to use the audio equipment is available in the recording booth!

Interview Guide

Interviewing someone, even if they are a person you know, can feel overwhelming if you don't have an idea of where to start. We have compiled a list here for some questions related to family history and living in Yonkers that may inspire your conversation. Remember that you do not need to “stick to the script!”

 

Before you start an interview with someone, remember to check that the person you are interviewing is comfortable recording, and speak the name and date of the interview to best note it down for future reference! If you plan to submit your recording to YPL, make sure to have your interviewee(s) state clearly on the recording that they are giving consent for the interview to join the YPL archives. 

 

Example: Today is _________ (full date with month, day, and year). My name is _________ (full name of interviewer). I am interviewing _________ (full name of interviewee) for an oral history project.

For consent: I, __________ (full name) provide consent for this interview to be recorded as shared with Yonkers Public Library and its users. See this page for more information on consent and submitting your memories to YPL. 

 

  1. Did you grow up in Yonkers? If so, describe the home you grew up in. If not, tell me about the story behind coming to Yonkers.
  2. Is there a story you can recall of someone memorable you’ve met in Yonkers? A friend, a stranger, or someone who you cannot forget? 
  3. Are there any special family foods or recipes you remember growing up with?
  4. What traditions do you hold onto today that are from your childhood? Are there any traditions you’ve tied to living in Yonkers?
  5. What activities did you and your family or you and your friends do together in the Yonkers area?
  6. Do you remember any of the stories your family told you about their lives or the lives of your ancestors?
  7. What was your neighborhood in Yonkers like? What are some of your memories of it like?
  8. What were the places you regularly visited in Yonkers? Are they still here today?
  9. How has Yonkers changed since you grew up/moved here?
  10. What was school life like for you? Did you attend a school in Yonkers?
  11. What are some of the dreams you’ve had throughout your life? Whether dream jobs, dream experiences, or dream places to travel?
  12. What has provided you with the greatest satisfaction in life?
  13. How would you like to be remembered? What would you say to your younger self?
  1. Tell me about a favorite memory you have of Yonkers. What was a day spent around Yonkers that you like to remember?
  2. Where are your favorite places to play and hang out? What do you like to do in your free time?
  3. If you could pick a favorite spot in Yonkers, where would it be? Are there any secret hideaways, or places you like to explore?
  4. What schools have you attended in Yonkers, if any? What is school like for you? What are your favorite subjects? What are your friends and teachers like?
  5. What is your biggest dream for the future?
  6. If you could change anything about Yonkers, what would it be and why?
  7. Tell me about some of your favorite people.
  8. What are your favorite meals to eat at home? Is there a place you like to go in Yonkers that has the best food?
  9. Do you have any family traditions, or things that you like to do with friends that feels like something you would want to keep doing in the future?
  10. If you could be remembered for something 100 years from now, what would it be?
  1. Where were you born?
  2. Do you have siblings? Did they serve in the military?
  3. What did you do before joining the service?
  4. In which branch of the military did you serve? Did you choose that branch, if so why?
  5. What was basic training like?
  6. Where did you serve?
  7. How did you adapt to military life?
  8. What memories do you have of that experience?
  9. What kind of friendships and camaraderie did you form?
  10. How did you stay in touch with friends and family?
  11. What did you do for recreation or when you were off-duty?
  12. When did you come back home? Did it feel as if it had changed?
  13. What was it like seeing your family and community again?
  14. How did you adjust to civilian life?
  15. What jobs/occupations did you have after serving?
  16. Did you remain in contact with veterans? 
  17. What message would you like to leave for people listening to this interview?