Locating an expert

The History Detectives Team | July 10, 2009 6:19 AM | 4 Responses

Experts are a crucial source of information for a History Detectives investigation, and we regularly consult specialists in a variety of fields. Our experts include academics, researchers, historians and authors from all over America.

In this weeks story, Tukufu called upon film archivists and historians Jon Gartenberg and Jeff Capp to shed some light on the Lubin film studios. They were able to use their expertise and knowledge to reveal a forgotten history of film production in Philadelphia, assisting History Detectives in examining century old photos.

You can find an expert who specialises in most subjects, however obscure, that can help you with your investigation. These people will have spent their careers gathering as much information and expertise as they can.

But how can you go about finding an expert?

If you have already embarked on your investigation and are reading widely in your relevant field, you most likely have come across a few names that appear across publications. These people will most likely be reliable sources of information. The Library of Congress is a good place to search publications.

Where possible try to focus your search on libraries, archives, museums, historical societies and other respected institutions. This will help to filter out unreliable sources or fraudsters.

A simple search online, such as Google, should provide you with a rough idea of who the prominent experts in a particular area are. Don’t be afraid to call relevant institutions for advice on experts, perhaps they know just the person you need?

There are also several internet registries online that list experts at the top of their respective fields, a good example is Experts.com.

Most importantly, do not give up. If at first you are not successful keep trying, you never know what’s around the corner. Even if a lead turns out to be a dead end maybe they know someone who can help?

Once you have contacted your expert make sure you prepare your background research, a good approach is bound to impress any expert.

Do you know any experts we should be aware of? Perhaps you are an expert in a particular field? We would like to know. Let us know in the form below.

Find Out More:

Feature: Expert Quiz

Detective Techniques: Finding Experts

More Leads

Comments

I was very impressed with how Eduardo navigated through the sensitive cultural issues that were a part of the story on the Navajo rug. I am dealing with a similar issue. I am working on a major project on the artist Mark Rothko. I uncovered his previously unknown visit to the First Mesa where he observed and sketched Niman ceremonies which include the sacrifice of eagles.

These ceremonies are now closed to the public yet there are dozens of Rothko works that are based on this sacred subject matter. The Hopi are not as willing to discuss this as the Navajo were in your show. I still got a lot out of it. Thanks.
Noah G. Hoffman
Author
Rothko On Route 66: THe Road To Abstraction
http://rothkono.wordpress.com/

Posted by Noah G. Hoffman on July 15, 2009 9:54 PM

Indian rug program was esp. interesting. The journey of discovery is informative as well as entertaining. Wonderful program. I look forward to future programs.

Posted by K Lampman on July 14, 2009 11:00 AM

Hello,
As I was watching the segment on the Navajo rug. I realized I have a book, "Navaho Weaving. Its Technique and Its History " by Charles Avery Amsden. It ws first published in 1934 by the Rio Grande Press as A Rio Grand Classic in 1934 and was re-printedin 1964 . The first printing was with the Fine Arts Press of Santa Ana, California incooperation with The Southwest Museum, I received this book as a retirement gift from the employees of a store where I worked and forgot all about it until I saw the segment on the Navajo rug tonight. The book has all sorts of photos and informationl What a gem to have.
Thanks for a great program.
Virginia

Posted by Virginia La Brie on July 14, 2009 1:29 AM

what was in common in the lives of the japanese-americans lived in the concretration camps because of the declaration of the war against the japanese empire. so government meant to be is an internment camps.

Posted by gabby duga on July 11, 2009 7:53 PM

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