Oral stories of Southampton

Southampton is one of the few local authorities in the UK to have an oral history programme. It was set up in 1983 and since then well over 900 life stories have been recorded and 6000 photographs collected. This makes the archive one of the largest of its kind in the UK.

The collection spans the period from 1890 to the present day and provides a unique insight into the social history of Southampton. Particular areas of interest are maritime history, dockland communities, women`s history and World War 2 and black people in Southampton.

Our interviewees are primarily residents of Southampton or those who have a connection with the city. The importance of giving local people a voice, recording their personal stories for future generations, is reflected in the strength of their testimonies. The users of the archive vary from local people researching family and community history to students and academic researchers.

Values everyone's individual experience by enabling people to tell their life stories in their own words.

Empowers people to be involved in the process of documenting their life experiences and the events that have affected them.

Contact Details:
Address: Oral History Unit,
Tower House,
Town Quay Road,
Southampton
Postcode: SO14 2NY
Tel: 023 8091 5725
Minicom: 023 8083 2798
Email: museums@southampton.gov.uk