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When starting a historical investigation you need to begin with the basics - good, solid research.
While many find this a daunting and laborious task, the research process can be as fascinating as solving a murder mystery.
“I find historical research very interesting,” says guest detective Eduardo Pagan, “because you never know where it’s going to take you once you start down that path”.
But where do you start?
First you need to figure out where to go to find the material you need.
A great place to begin is the wonderful world wide web. Typing a variety of phrases into a search engine can reveal information and experts in the field you are researching. Pay attention to the source - generally government, academic institutions and newspapers are credible places to find information. Be wary of sources such as Wikipedia and private websites, though these can be used to find information that can be cross referenced in other locations. Search engines like Google allow you to search books and scholarly papers as well.
Libraries are a great place to learn more about your topic. Do a search for books on your topic area and read as much as you can. Take careful notes and reference them so you know where to find them later on. Pay particular attention to the footnotes and sources used in books - they can give clues as to where you can find further information.
Archives are another treasure trove of material and are indispensible to the History Detectives. This is where you’ll find mainly primary sources that can further inform the research you are doing. This is often where you’ll find hidden details or information that can transform your investigation.
When doing research, size up the quality of information, and cross-examine your sources. Did the author have a hidden motive? Where are the holes in the story? Is it really evidence, or just a red herring?
Have you done your own historical investigation? Tell us about it. What were your best sources of information in your research? Do you have a research tip you want to share? Let us know by using the form below.
Find out more:
Detective Techniques: Historical Research
Detective Techniques: Archives
Watch an interview with Eduardo Pagan.
Colored World's Fair card
Finding Family
Fighting Forebears
An old master, or just a paint by number?
See The Signs
Take a Closer Look
Skeletons in the Closet
Be A House Detective
Know the Rogue's Gallery
Locating an expert
Ballistics: Aiming to Find Out
Searching for the Patently Obvious
Digging Deep: How to find what you're looking for
Get involved with History Detectives!
See all posts »
Web Investigation
Genealogy Research
Military History
Analyzing Art
Document Examination
Appraising
Researching People
Building Background
Photo Analysis
Finding experts
The National Archives
SearchSystems.net
Genealogy.com
Ancestry.com
US Patent Office
Smithsonian
I have this set of gun barrels that i do not now who made or when or what type. the name is scracthed and i sanded off some of it.
Family story says my grandfather was one of Henry Fords first employees, I have looked on the web for Ford historical data but can not find much pertinent info. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated
As U.S. troops were being shipped into Britain in readiness for the Normandy Invasion many were taken from the docks to a camp at Ollerton in Nottinghamshire. I was a 17 year old civilian and was attached to this unit driving a truck that I used to transport soldiers from the nearest railway station to the camp along with any other tranportation needs. I got to be quite friendly with some of these young men, sadly I don't recall any names after all these years. I have tried several times to find just what unit this was and what happened to them on D.Day; did they go in on Utah Beach or was it Omaha Beach.? Many is the time I have thought about those men and wished I had followed up on their destiny.
Hi, First time watcher of program and i love it !! But ,I was wondering i have a composition book all hand wriitten dated looks like March 7little line with scribles on top and bottom then 1867 Title: OLD AMERICA Where could i look for information on this has names in it aslo One one first page E.L Glisan Demmark, Iowa. could you please lead me in the direction to find out more about this person and what role he played in our History? Thank-You
Hi I have an ancestor who was in the greely expodition to the Artic and sorvived he has a mountain named after him up there in the North but anyways I was wondering what happened to him after and before the expodition
Hello. I have a Japanese rifle bayonete from WWII. It has a clear serial number that is very visible along with a makers stamp. Im wondering where i can go to get absolute info on whether or not the weapon was carried in battle.
Thank you,
Anthony Lucy
The engravings in Leslie's Civil War book(s) were based on paintings done by several artists, as engraved by artists hired by the publisher. For instance, William T. Trego, a noted history painter, did two black and white oil paintings to illustrate specific events described in the books. Engravings were then made by J. W. Evans based on Trego's paintings. Separate individual prints for framing were also issued based on these engravings.
According to a description of this book at a sale site the artwork in the book is all engravings. They probably come from drawings done by Frank Leslie. However the Frank Leslie that published the book was actually his wife.
You can see more about the book here: http://www.bookgallery.co.il/content/english/bookpageschema.asp?BookPageID=62833
For a biography of the Leslie's you can go here: http://www.thegavel.net/2014.html
I have a book tiltled Frank Leslies Illustrated Famous Leaders and Battle Scenes from the Civil War.The only date I could find in the book is 1896 just wondering who Frank Leslie was and
if there is any way how the book was done free hand by artist or machine another name
in the book is Joseph B.Garr.Also Frank Leslie Family Tree and his wifes maiden name.