AS a result of social distancing measures most of us are at home and separated from loved ones.
Gathering family and local stories is one way we can feel closer. Donegal County Council is asking children and young people to reach out to grandparents or older people in the community who are confined to their homes.
“Download our questionnaire and advice sheet from the Donegal Archives website,” said a spokesperson.
“Phone your grandparent and discuss one or two questions each day. Write down or record the interviews. We encourage adults to also get involved in this project by reaching out to your own parents and older family/community members. Older people can use our questionnaire as a starting point for recording their own memories and family history.”
As the renowned Oral historian Thomas Mac Conmara recently said in an interview with Ryan Tubridy: “Now is the time to reach out, to say to somebody; your life stories, your memories are important. I guarantee you…you will never regret it.”
Resources are available on the Donegal County Archives www.donegalcoco.ie/culture/archives/education/. These include interview questionnaires for children and adults and advice on carrying out interviews. There are also links to sources which will help you carry out family and local research.
The Donegal County Archives is launching this oral history project as part of its Peace IV funded ‘Echoes of the Decade’ project. This is a joint project with the Donegal County Museum and focuses on the Decade of Centenaries (1912-23).
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