Our Memories and Others’ Memories

Memories are
Of things we understand
Of things in which we are interested
Organised
Selective
Reconstructed

Memories are influenced by
Age
Gender
Class
Ethnic and cultural background
Subsequent experiences
Changes in social values and attitudes
Other people
The interviewer

What do we remember?
Places
Events
Activities
Daily routines
People
Feelings
Attitudes
Values
Sounds
Smells
Images
Tastes

What don’t we remember?
Dates
Statistics
Facts and lists
Chronology

Types of information
Memories of own experiences
Evaluation of own experiences
Second-hand information, oral traditions
Collective memory

Oral History Association of Australia Journal, No 18 (1996)