Services
Personal Histories & Community Stories“We Make History Come Alive”
Dr. Susan Resnik interviewing Candace Lightner, Founder of MADD and We Save Lives
Personal Histories
Viewing Voices works with individuals to record their life stories. Often clients are family members who request that we interview another family member. We hold preliminary discussions with clients, gathering background information prior to holding an initial meeting with the narrator. Next, we begin an interview consisting of a conversational narrative. Capturing a family history by interviewing several family members is also an option.
Community Stories
Viewing Voices documents the history for clients such as universities, business groups, and community organizations. Our team of oral historians will discuss various approaches to help you select the best method to preserve your story.
Offerings
- Recorded and edited oral history with transcript
- Video oral history
- Album with oral history including transcripts and photos
- Multimedia website
The Power of Oral Histories
- Preserving your family history
- Saving the story of your club or community group
- Recording the history of your business, organization, corporation or educational institution
- A resource for books, documentaries, museum exhibits, special tributes, eulogies, or obituaries
- A teaching tool for a class or workshop
Jane Meyers interviewing John Martin for San Diego State University. Martin is an SDSU alumnus, a professor of journalism, and a print, broadcast and photo journalist.
What Clients Say About Viewing Voices
About Jane Meyers, Viewing Voices oral historian, interviewing San Diego Black Panthers
“Success for this project was definitely YOU! You were amazing interacting with the Black Panther participants. They were so relaxed and willing to share their stories. That is a testament for how well you built the relationship with the subjects prior to the actual interview. I enjoyed listening to their stories and was in awe of your preparation! But then, you are a professional and you shined.”
“When the Smithsonian Museum asked me if I would agree to be the subject of an exhibit, I was truly honored. I was able to share a number of personal treasures that were mine and also some that belonged to my late daughter, Cari. However, one thing I didn’t have was ‘my story’ told in my words and so I contacted Dr. Susan Resnik. We spent several days together and her patience and ability to listen made it easy to recollect memories from way back when. Not only was the Smithsonian appreciative but so was I. This ‘oral history’ goes beyond my founding of MADD and We Save Lives, it also reflects the vast experiences of my journey from child to activist growing up in the military and living and traveling in numerous different countries. I share my joys as a mother and the pain of losing one of my identical twin daughters to a drunk driver and how I found new purpose in my life. This story is not only in the museum’s possession but will be shared with my heirs who will have the opportunity to learn about me from a reliable source – Me!”
“Dr. Susan Resnik, Suzi to me, is an oral historian and President of Viewing Voices. She is also a professional colleague of my dad’s and a friend to our family. My dad, Lloyd Clayton, turned 98 years old in July, 2019.
“Three years ago Suzi came to Washington, D.C. to interview my dad. This oral history is a tremendous contribution to our family and his professional colleagues and also to the public at large. It is archived at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in the Southern Oral History Program, Center for the Study of the American South.
“My dad wanted Suzi to be the person to help him share his recollections and observations as he told his life story.
“Lloyd Clayton, born in Alabama in 1921, is the grandson of a slave and the 17th child born into his African American family. His life journey is interwoven with the history of WWII, the Civil Rights Movement and the history of public health in the US.
“He became a leader in the public health community, passionately committed to reaching out to provide health care and education to diverse underserved communities. More recently he formed Health Pac, providing health screenings and education.
“Hearing my dad telling his story in his voice will resonate with our family for years to come. It has also enriched my understanding and appreciation of his contributions and better informed me about the historical period during which he has lived.”