New Yorkers - Share Your Story!
Be a part of New York City history.
Calling all New York City residents: if you live or have lived in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Staten Island, share your story with the Neighborhood Stories Project.
Over the past three years I’ve had the privilege of interviewing my fellow New Yorkers for the Neighborhood Stories Project, a storytelling initiative by the New York City Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS for short).
The Neighborhood Stories Project aims to ‘put the community in the archive’ so researchers and the public can see and hear our neighbors speak about this city we call home. Since DORIS manages the Municipal Archives these stories will become part of New York City history.
I’ve spoken to New Yorkers across the five boroughs, from long-time residents to recent transplants, to a borough president and community leaders. I’ve heard some amazing stories as well as the thoughts, concerns, hopes and dreams of everyday New Yorkers. I learn something new in every interview. Each person’s experiences represents a distinct and valuable perspective on life in the city. I feel honored to play a small role in capturing these stories so we have a better understanding of the past, present and future of our city and our lives as New Yorkers.
I grew up in the sleepy suburb of Floral Park, Queens, which is now home to a vibrant South Asian community. Currently I’m living in Bushwick, Brooklyn, a made up of mostly long-time Puerto Rican residents, newcomers from Central and South America, and young creatives from across the country.
I was interested in family stories about the city from a young age. My distant relatives immigrated from Ireland, Italy and Germany to New York City, where they raised my grandparents (including in San Juan Hill where Lincoln Center stands today). My father and grandfather both worked for the NYC Department of Sanitation, an integral and often under-appreciated civil service in our city. My personal interest in stories and history motivated me to get involved with Neighborhood Stories.
About the project:
How do City Hall’s decisions ripple throughout our communities?
What happens to a community when developers build high-priced condos?
Why do people come to New York City?
How do New Yorkers celebrate holidays?
What are New Yorkers favorite places, museums, restaurants, and parks?
These are a few of the questions at the heart of the Neighborhood Stories Project.
The project began in 2018 by interviewing community members in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. In 2020, DORIS took the project virtual, opening up to all New Yorkers.
So far, we’ve recorded nearly 150 interviews. Dozens of volunteer interviewers have signed up who will continue adding stories to the archive. I’ve recorded over 20 interviews since I started working with the project back in 2021 (here’s a clip from my first interview).
FAQs:
What is DORIS?
The NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) is responsible for preserving and providing access to NYC's government records as well as operating the Municipal Archives, Library and Record Center.
What is the Neighborhood Stories Project?
Neighborhood Stories aims to gather and permanently preserve the stories of New York City community members by connecting local history with the records of City government maintained in the collections of the Municipal Archives and Library. DORIS aims to "put the community in the archive" by inviting residents to provide their stories, helping us paint a portrait of our city’s communities, neighborhoods, and people.
Who can participate?
Anyone who has lived in New York City for any period of time!
What is oral history and why is it important?
Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events. An oral history interview consists of an interviewer inviting a narrator to speak about their experiences and recording their exchange in audio or video format. The recorded interview may be transcribed, summarized, or indexed and placed in a library or archives. Here are some other NYC oral history projects.
What is a typical interview like?
Most interviews are held remotely via Zoom and last for 60-90 minutes (but can be shorter or longer). The interviewer asks questions about the narrator’s life experiences including background, school, work, friends, family, neighborhood and community.
Where will my interview go once it has been recorded?
The interviews are preserved by DORIS in the Municipal Archives. Some interviews may be shared online if the participant gives their consent.
Will I get a copy of my interview?
Yes!
Where can I sign up?
Please reach out to Neighborhood Stories if you have any questions. If there's anything I can help you with, feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to speaking with you!
Keith