Twelve historic ranching and small-scale settlement sites were investigated on Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County. These sites had limited archaeological data potential. In order to determine the historic significance of these sites, background research became especially critical. All of these residential sites were small, however, and had little or no information recorded in the documentary record. As this limitation became known, oral history began to play a more significant role in the study. Project archaeologists conducted oral history interviews with several long-time residents in the area who were familiar with local landscape and history. Oral history added to knowledge of ranching patterns and landscape use, especially in terms of building construction, house site selection, vegetation, family lives and livelihoods, and community interaction and survival. Combined with the archaeological record, the oral historical record gave meaning to sites that by themselves would otherwise be considered insignificant. This paper also addresses lessons learned from conducting oral history interviews.