The Marshall University Oral History Collection consists of over 800 transcribed interviews with residents of the Tri-State region of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. The majority of the interviews were conducted by students at Marshall University as class projects in the departments of History, Sociology, and Anthropology during the 1980s and 1990s. Many of the original audio recordings were done on reel-to-reel tape recorders or other cassette recording devices and are no longer audible. The oral histories contained here in Marshall Digital Scholar do have complete audio recordings available in addition to the completely transcribed interview. A complete subject listing of all available oral histories in the collection can be found in the guide to the Marshall University Oral History Collection.
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Oral History Interview: J. W. Workman
J. W. Workman
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia communities, focusing on Ceredo. At the time of the interview, Mr. J. W. Deeter was a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Ceredo. He discusses: his personal history; his family; pastors at his church (including Phil Kessee, Reverend Harrod, Bob Davis, Hubert Six, & Dr. Wade Armstrong); fund raising for a new church building; church attendance; the mission of the church; different ages and classes of people who attend the church; church finances; and church leadership.
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Oral History Interview: Rabbi David Wucher
David David Wucher
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. This interview contains a summary prepared by the interviewer, which includes page numbers. Rabbi David Wucher was ordained in 1972 in Cincinnati, and came to Huntington, West Virginia, in 1989. He discusses: places he has served as a Rabbi; serving as an army Chaplain; his congregation in Huntington; the temple in Huntington; detailed information about changes and problems the Jewish community faces in Huntington; physical problems with the temple building; the lack of discrimination against Jewish people in Huntington; the history of the Jewish community in Huntington; women taking a more active role in the congregation; his duties as a Rabbi; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Boyce Yarbrough
Boyce Yarbrough
Born in Huntington, West Virginia in the early 1900's, Miss Yarbrough discusses her education and her forty-two years as an educator. She discloses that her maternal grandfather taught at Marshall Academy, talks of the Depression, and many changes in teaching, salaries, and curriculum in secondary schools in Kanawha and Cabell counties.
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Oral History Interview: Brig. Gen. Charles Chuck Yeager
Charles Yeager
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Marshall University Society of Yeager Scholars. Mr. Yeager discusses: his family life; growing up on a farm in Lincoln County; his service in the Air force; breaking the sound barrier; how he was asked to be the namesake of the Yeager Scholars program at Marshall; individual such as Joe Hunnicutt, Dale Nitzschke, his wife Glennis, & Joe Engle; his work with the first group of Yeager Scholars; his definition of leadership and courage; his expectations for the Yeager Scholars; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Sanghong Yoo
Sanghong Yoo
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. Sanghong Yoo was an international student from South Korea, enrolled in ESL and the Graduate College at Marshall University in 1996. At the time of the interview, he was a research faculty member at Marshall. He discusses: his family, his educational background; why he came to Marshall; other international students at Marshall; life for international students at Marshall; what he did on September 11th, 2001; how life has changed for international students after September 11th; why he stayed at Marshall after graduation; returning to South Korea to finish graduate school; returning to Marshall; his views on international students; and other topics.
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Oral History Interview: Houston G. Young
Houston G. Young
Mr. Young, reared in Harrison County near the Lost Creek community, discusses various aspects of his life in this interview. Among the topics covered are his childhood and education, his two terms as Secretary of State from 1917 to 1925, his unsuccessful campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1924, his role with the State Sinking Fund, and the appointment of Cass Gilbert as the architect for the West Virginia State Capitol.
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Oral History Interview: J. Warren Young and Iva K. Young
J. Warren Young
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning rural life in West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Young discuss autobiographical information about themselves and their lives growing up in West Virginia. Some of the topics include work, entertainment, bowling, doctors and dentists.
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Oral History Interview: Dr. Kenneth Young
Kenneth Young
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning the Kanawha County textbook controversy. The subject of this interview is the Kanawha County textbook controversy, where numerous people protested materials taught in school that they believed immoral, resulting in some violence. Mr. Young was an educator and gives biographical information about himself, describes the textbook selection process, Alice Moore, attempts at arbitration, and parents' role in the school system.
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Oral History Interview: Mary Zickefoose
Mary Zickefoose
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia town histories. This interview focuses on Helvetia, West Virginia. Mrs. Zickefoose talks about a Helvetia hotel, the cruel mistreatment of a black girl, and her work with the Helvetia phone company as a switchboard operator. She also discusses the party line system used by the phone company.
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Oral History Interview: Calvin Jean Zirkle
Calvin Jean Zirkle
This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. This file contains an appendix of writings, photographs, and supporting information. Calvin J. Zirkle discusses: his family; his personal background; his service in the Korean War; difficulties he faced finding a job after the war; joining the military again (in the Air Force); his service in Vietnam (including being superintendent of vehicle maintenance); West Virginians in military service; his Bronze Star medal; his retirement; and other topics. This folder also contains works of poetry and prose.
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Oral History Interview: Norman Zumback
Norman Zumback
This interview is one of a series conducted concerning West Virginia town histories. This interview focuses on Helvetia, West Virginia. Mr. Zumback, a life-long resident of Helvetia, West Virginia, is a self-taught gunsmith. Although he technically retired in 1976, his state-wide reputation caused him to continue his trade. Besides discussing his work as a gunsmith, Mr. Zumback mentions family history, community life, and the various crafts in which his brothers excelled. He reflects briefly on the racist problems faced by the Swiss community during the World Wars.
