The questions
Our interview process is free-flowing and tailored to capture your unique story. The interview can be thought of as a structured conversation. Our process is built around capturing life stories shaped by Partition. A few specific themes which we like to address in each interview:
Below is a small list of SAMPLE questions only, and is not to be taken as a complete list. The actual qusetionnaire will change during the interview and will depend on your unique life story.
1. Pre Partition Life and background:
Life, culture and your childhood: This allows the listener to build a context for Partition and to better understand how Partition affected you, your family and your community and ways of life. Sample questions
- What is your name, mothers/fathers name?
- Where and when were you born?
- Anything you would like to share of your family history?
- How many brothers and sisters did you have?
- What did you do for fun together?
- Describe your friends.
- What were their religious backgrounds? What did you do together?
- What languages did you and do you speak?
- What was life like in your city or village? Festivals? snake charmers?
2. Partition:
Your personal observations and experiences. You can also recall stories of those whom you know and what they experienced. Sample questions
- How old were you and where were you when Partition happened?
- How did you first learn about Partition?
- Where were you when Partition happened and what was the first thing you thought?
- Please give your whole story, what you saw, the good and the bad recalling much detail as possible.
- How did Partition affect you, your family, and your community at the time?
3. Post-Partition Life
Sample Questions
- How did you get to where you are today?
- Describe your post Partition life and journey?
- How do you feel Partition has impacted your life?
4. Thoughts:
Sample questions
- What are your thoughts on Partition in general?
- How did you feel about Partition now in retrospect?
5. Message:
Sample questions
- Any message you want to give to future generations?
Share your story:
To access our full set of questions and to receive an interview packet, you must attend one of our Oral History Workshops by signing up at http://www.1947PartitionArchive.org/collect_stories. The workshops can be attended by watching them live via an internet connection. For questions, send an email to ask@1947PartitionArchive.org
