The value of oral history in the digital world

Every community carries stories with it: personal memories, experiences, and testimonies that together form our history. It is precisely this oral history that offers unique insights often missing in written sources. In the digital world, it is extra important to handle this carefully. How can you digitally unlock oral history? And how do you preserve stories so that they remain accessible and visible in the future?

6 minutes7 nov `25

Knowledge & Inspiration

What is oral history?

Oral history often sheds light on different perspectives and less visible stories. Think, for example, of life stories and testimonies of people about historical events, such as World War II or the history of slavery. Or stories about what various forms of heritage, such as local traditions, mean to people. These stories are valuable resources for heritage organizations. With digital tools, such as audio recordings and interactive maps, they can present these stories more comprehensively and vividly to a broad audience. This way, important information is passed from generation to generation, creating a stronger identity within a community.

Challenges surrounding oral history in the digital world

Oral history is based on memories, and they are not always reliable. Therefore, it's important to consult various sources, for example, by delving into archives and interviewing multiple people. The distinction between fact and interpretation is crucial: what actually happened and what is someone's personal experience?

The rise of digital media has further blurred that distinction. On one hand, the amount of available information has grown enormously. On the other hand, that information has not necessarily become more reliable. Through social media, people sometimes confuse their own experiences with stories they've heard from others. Therefore, it is especially important to trace the source of information and provide context to stories. Stories can also be oversimplified or encourage people to visit places not meant for visitors, such as spiritual sites. Additionally, heated online discussions can arise, which need to be moderated and monitored effectively.

‘Fact and interpretation are increasingly intertwined.’
Rose Mary Allen (Professor of Culture, Community, and History at the University of Curaçao)

How do you proceed?

It is important to build a close relationship with the people and communities at the center. Warm relationships and networks based on trust help to uncover more information. This also entails responsibility: do not betray someone's trust and privacy, for example, by sharing information with others without consultation. Record agreements where necessary and stop recordings when the situation or interviewee requires it. Also, consider someone's gender, age, class, and cultural norms when interacting with them and interpreting their input.

How do you preserve these oral stories?

It is crucial that oral stories remain accessible for future generations. In the past, much information was lost because it was collected by vulnerable institutions and stored on fragile materials, such as handwritten notes or cassettes. Nowadays, you can digitize this information, making it more durable, searchable, and shareable. However, this introduces new risks: information can more easily be taken out of its original context. Ultimately, the person or community always remains the owner, and researchers must handle their information with care and respect.

Which tools can you use?

More and more people recognize the value of oral history, also to familiarize younger audiences with these oral stories. Digital formats are well-suited for this: they provide accessible access to parts of history that have long been overlooked. For example, digital maps are created where stories are linked to locations. You can also use transcription tools that convert spoken text into written text. However, these are not available for all languages. Additionally, some of the emotion in stories may be lost. Always carefully consider the impact of using a tool on the result.

Who can support you with oral history projects?

Of course, you can turn to DEN. We can assist you with information on digital forms of storytelling, collaborations, and more. You can also contact Sprekende geschiedenis (opens in new tab), the national hub for oral history. In 2025, the project Hidden Stories was launched. In this project, Sprekende geschiedenis, provincial heritage partners, and the Digital Heritage Network collaborate with local initiatives to make oral stories more visible. You can also apply for funding, for example, from the Cultural Fund, the Fund for Cultural Participation, and the Mondriaan Fund, as well as local or regional funds such as the province or municipality.

Read more about digital forms of storytelling, collaborations, and more. Dive into the article about Any1 (opens in new tab), a podcast with an interactive visual story for education about WWII, or read about how the Limburgs Museum built an online museum (opens in new tab) where individual stories of Limburgers come together, gain context, and thus form the cultural memory of the province.

This article was written by Anne-Louise van den Dool and is based on the webinar Oral history in the digital world (opens in new tab) on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a collaboration between the Digital Heritage Network and DEN, the knowledge institute for culture and digital transformation. This session featured Rose Mary Allen (opens in new tab) (Professor of Culture, Community, and History at the University of Curaçao) and Marijn Braam (opens in new tab) and Mila Lemmens (opens in new tab) (Sprekende geschiedenis).