13 Amish Community in Southern Maryland
As a native of St. Mary’s County located in the southernmost part of the state of Maryland, I have seen Amish/Mennonite communities in a few specific areas. Other than observing they practice a primitive lifestyle wherein modern technology, apparel, etc. aren’t utilized and it’s rooted in their religious beliefs, I had little knowledge of their culture, customs, and origin. Mindful that they are somewhat closed off from the larger society, I was skeptical about my ability to obtain any firsthand knowledge through direct observation or a sit-down interview.
I chose to speak with and interviewed an elder, Mrs. SB, who has resided on her now-deceased husband’s family property since 1993 and is chummy with the Amish, as they have been her neighbors for thirty years. Mrs. B has a degree in human studies specializing in anthropology. The B family established this property in 1783 per Mrs. B; this method of obtaining knowledge would be considered oral history. In-depth interviewing is thought to be the “hallmark of qualitative research” (Rossman & Rallis 1998). Some argue that the United States has become an interview society. Talk shows have become so prevalent that interviewing has become “part and parcel of the social fabric” (Rossman & Rallis 1998). I would add podcasts as a method of interviewing as well, with digital streaming technological advances enabling content and information to get out quickly to the masses.
I approached my dialogue with Mrs. Br as our text suggested: “a conversation with purpose” (Rossman 177). Interviewing is a way of knowledge because stories inform: the root of the word “story” is the Greek word “histor”, which means one who is “wise” and “learned” (Seidman 1991). Interviews can be categorized into three types: informal conversational interviews, interview guide approach, and standardized open-ended interviews. The style of interview that I conducted would be considered the interview guide approach because I identified a few broad topics to explore, asked open-ended questions with requests to elaborate and the participant responded with long narratives. This type or conversation exemplifies an assumption of qualitative research that the participant’s perspective “on the phenomenon of interest should unfold as the participant views not the researcher” (Rossman & Rallis 1998).
Mrs. B informed me that the Amish communities in Southern Maryland were established in 1939 on the heels of the Great Depression. Many properties were foreclosed and farms abandoned in Southern Maryland presumably in the aftermath of the economy’s collapse. There was a dispute between the State of Pennsylvania and the Amish over the minimum age a child was required to receive a formal education. Then-Governor Herbert O’Conor offered more lenient official education requirements which enticed the Amish to relocate to Maryland. The Amish focus on trades and seek to be skilled craftsmen so that once they enter adulthood, they are capable of surviving and earning a living. I concluded the loss of revenue for the State of Maryland would have prompted a governor to seek options to increase funding for the state.
Our conversation provided me with numerous bits of information pertaining to norms and routine behavior. Mrs. B shared how the Amish are quite detail-oriented and know their exact property lines etc., but do not find it abnormal to enter her old barn admiring antiques that her husband owned. Granted, they are friendly with each other—however, typical American custom would not be to enter someone’s shed or barn without permission each time. She said they probably “thought I was a sleeping old lady” at the time, much like the young men’s grandmother would have been at such a time on a Sunday evening. The Amish do not do business on Sunday at all. That is a day of Sabbath and emphasis on God, faith, and family. I learned that marriage is viewed as truly sacred and the commitment is for life. They adhere to the belief of “working it out”.
Lastly, I was able to digest a lot of information during our chat which lasted over two hours. Moreover, it was quite riveting to hear all that she shared and how it was in line with a YouTube video that I watched of an interview with an Amish/Mennonite family in Ohio. Online sources like YouTube videos and specific Google searches would be of benefit to compile information also. Technology may be used in unique circumstances such as an emergency or to get word to family in another state. For example, if there is a medical emergency, they will use her phone in the barn to dial 911 or call family to notify of a death. Her storytelling from personal experiences was a treasure of knowledge and insight.
Works Cited
Rossman, G., & Rallis, S. F. (1998). Learning in the Field: An Introduction to Qualitative Research. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA36931088
Seidman, I. (1991). Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA25713584
