Oral history as a tool in local history: An analysis in the context of a local area study of North Turramurra

Oral history is an integral aspect of local history. In a study of local history, one uses primary source material, bot.h literary and non-literary items, in an attempt to learn about man in his environment. In oral history, information about contemporary or past times is expressed in an oral form, and oral history recordings become the primary source material. These oral sources are then just one of the many forms of documentary evidence used by the local historian. They complement and/or supplement other sources of information, and provide the balance to a study of maps, photographs, written documents and other records. My local history is very much a folk history, a story of the people living in one very small community. It began as an exercise in community involvement: an attempt to involve the local community in the creation of a display within the school library which would be meaningful to all persons, children and adults, living in the immediate local area. In studying North Turramurra, I wanted firstly to describe accurately when and how the first white settlers came to the area, and then to develop this idea by describing living conditions, and analysing patterns of lifestyles. I have tried to explain why changes occurred.