Patrick Russell – Oral Historian

Patrick Russell - oral historian
  • Tel. (305) 608-2977
  • Email: patrick@making-history-project.com
  • Linked-In

Oral History Interviews

I am an oral historian, independent scholar for World War II, and a lawyer based in Miami, Florida. In 2014, I founded the Making History Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Veteran stories for future generations. The preservation of Veteran stories is accomplished through oral history interviews. An oral history interview covers the Veteran’s life, service in the military, and most notable memories.  Our oral history interviews are conducted with high-definition digital audio and video recording equipment. After an interview is finished, the Veteran is immediately provided a master and unedited copy of the interview on a DVD.  Afterward, we transcribe, index, and make the interviews available online for research and viewing, and the interviews themselves are archived with world-recognized archives such as the U.S. Library of Congress and the Veterans History Project at the University of Florida Samuel Proctor Oral History Program.

World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan

My grandfather was a World War II Veteran and I consider this to be very important work to preserve the memories and stories of Veterans for future generations.  The current emphasis for the Making History Project is the World War II Veteran. Given the advanced age of the “Greatest Generation”, it is our highest priority to meet and interview as many World War II Veterans as possible. As the project proceeds, the goal is to expand the interviews to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  If you are a Veteran, or know of a Veteran, who may be interested in preserving his story and memories for future generations, please be sure to contact me.

Russia - Stalingrad
At Mamaev Hill, Volga River, Volgograd (Stalingrad), Russia

Battlefield, Museum Tours, Veteran Reunions

In furtherance of the project, I often travel to battlefields, memorials, museums, Veteran reunions, and academic conferences.

Veteran reunions, such as the Friends and Family of the 508 P.I.R. or the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, are fantastic places to meet new Veterans, new friends, and to schedule interviews in the future.

Likewise, academic conferences like those for the Oral History Association, are excellent opportunities for presentations and share the results of the project with other historians and museum personnel.

Finally, traveling to the actual battlefields and the museums nearby is an immersive and educational experience. If you are fortunate, you can meet returning Veterans who are also visiting those same battlefields and museums.  Notable places visited abroad include England (London); France (Paris, Normandy); Belgium (Bastogne/Ardennes); Luxembourg; Italy (Monte Cassino); Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Auschwitz); Germany (Berlin); Netherlands (Amsterdam/Anne Frank House); Norway; Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Stalingrad), Finland; and Thailand (Bridge over the River Kwai).

Curriculum Vitae

Professional Experience:

Education:

Active Projects:

  • Making History Project, Miami, FL – Oral Historian and Founder
    A Non-Profit Oral History Project started in 2014 to preserve the memories and stories of Veterans. Currently interviewing and processing completed oral history interviews. Editing and transcribing digital audio and video files. Preparing the oral history record for archiving with the U.S. Library of Congress and the University of Florida Samuel Proctor Oral History Project. In furtherance of the project and to recruit additional Veterans, a frequent visitor to World War II battlefields, memorials, anniversary celebrations, and Veteran reunions.  Current research interests include combat trauma and its immediate and long-term effects on Veterans, and comparing and contrasting combat trauma from the various wars from World War II through Afghanistan.

Publications:

Presentations:

  • “Making History Project – Studying War Trauma Through Oral History Interviews”, Lewis University, Fall 2017.
  • “War and Trauma – Comparing Contrasting Conflicts”, Governors State University, Fall 2017.
  • “Dialogues of War”, oral history course in support of National Endowment for the Humanities Grant, Governors State University, Fall 2017.
  • “508 PIR Association – Preserve the Legacy”, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment Association, Charleston, SC, November 5, 2016
  • “War and Peace: WWII Trauma 70-Years Later“, Oral History Association Conference, Tampa, FL, October 15, 2015
  • “War and Peace: WWII Trauma 70-Years Later”, Midwest World History Association Conference, Wabash College, September 26, 2015
  • “HungerKrieg: The War of the Calorie During World War II”, Midwest World History Association Conference, Governors State University, September 26, 2014.

Membership and Affiliations:

Oral History Courses, Workshops, and Certificates:

  • Introduction to Museum Studies, Harvard University, Harvard Extension School, Fall 2014
  • Video Oral History Workshop, OHA Annual Meeting 2014
  • OHMS Workshop, OHA Annual Meeting 2014
  • “Getting Started With Oral History”, Baylor University Institute for Oral History, 2014

Loading

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
© 2024 The Making History Project. All rights reserved.