Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the memory of T.I. Sedelnikov through the prism of oral evidence. The assignment of the name of T.I. Sedelnikov to a street of Almaty raised to a new level the need to consider his role in the history of Kazakhstan of the beginning of the XX century. The aim and objectives of the study are to investigate the personality and activity of Timofey Ivanovich Sedelnikov through the oral memoirs of his descendants in the context of the agrarian history of Kazakhstan. To show how modern commemorative practices actualize the problem of historical memory and indicate the necessity of translation of knowledge about significant figures. Results. The analysis of the interview about T.I. Sedelnikov allowed not only to reveal the historical realities of the early 20th century Kazakhstan on the agrarian issues, but also provided an example of the use of the oral historical source to solve the problems of today, when the historical memory predetermines and directs the attitude to the representatives of non-indigenous nationality in modern Kazakhstan. Conclusions. The oral narrative about T. I. Sedelnikov significantly complements the archival materials and reveals his role in the study of the resettlement policy. Oral memoirs expand the representation of images of the past and at the same time have an indirect influence on memory policy and national policy in the development of strategies to preserve and develop the identity of Kazakhstanis.