The Micro-Historian’s Guide to Research, Evidence, & Conclusions imparts useful guidance to motivated historians, genealogists, special interest researchers, and local history enthusiasts. As long-buried sources become available via the internet, more regular folks without a Ph.D. in history are joining the fun of information-gathering and shining new light on under-explored history – yet often with no foundation of method. The author answers the call with this volume, “paying forward” the guidance received from long-ago mentors as well as from present-day historians and archivists. Topics include research planning & execution, evaluation of evidence, formulation of conclusions, and the crafting of a summary narrative. Each topic is enriched by practical examples from the author’s experience. The aim is to help the new practitioner build a foundation of research skills that leads to evidence-based conclusions. The author’s perspective of experience – as a disciplined researcher, but also with roots as a no-nonsense old-school newspaper reporter – occasionally prompts a mild tease of the buttoned-down genealogy proof standard, or conversely, a deflating poke at flabby interpretation … and moribund academic writing … wherever it may fester. The Micro-Historian’s Guide to Research, Evidence, & Conclusions draws theory from dozens of history, genealogy, historiography, and research giants through the ages. The book also pays tribute to that long-ago cigar-chomping newspaper editor who admonished a young reporter: “Yer mother sez she loves ya’? You still gotta check it out!”

The Micro-Historian's Guide to Research, Evidence, & Conclusions imparts useful and easily digestible guidance to motivated historians, genealogists, journalists, special-interest researchers, and local history enthusiasts. Thanks to the democratization of information facilitated by the World Wide Web, more regular folks without a Ph.D. in history are joining the practice of illuminating long-buried or undiscovered history --- yet often with no foundation of method. Veteran micro-history researcher and author R. W. Bacon, in "paying forward" the guidance received by long-ago mentors as well as present-day historians and archivists, answers the need with this concise volume. Main topics include research planning, research execution, evaluation of evidence, formulation of conclusions, and crafting a summary narrative --- all presented to help the reader build a firm foundation for efficient research and an evidence-based finished product.

When Blanket is hung on the clothesline overnight to dry, the rest of the clothes, the dog, the cat, and the wind work together to get it safely inside to its owner.

Brundage has revised his popular book to render an even more detailed, practical and 'user friendly' tool for students faced with the researching and writing of a research paper or historiographical essay.

The pioneering texts in quantitative history were written over two decades ago, but as a command of methodological context, computer experience, and statistical literacy have become increasingly important to the study of history, the need for an introduct

Written in an engaging and entertaining style, this widely-used how-to guide introduces readers to the theory, craft, and methods of history and provides a series of tools to help them research and understand the past. Part I is a stimulating, philosophical introduction to the key elements of history--evidence, narrative, and judgment--that explores how the study and concepts of history have evolved over the centuries. Part II guides readers through the workshop of history. Unlocking the historian's toolbox, the chapters here describe the tricks of the trade, with concrete examples of how to do history. The tools include documents, primary and secondary sources, maps, arguments, bibliographies, chronologies, and many others. This section also covers professional ethics and controversial issues, such as plagiarism, historical hoaxes, and conspiracy theories. Part III addresses the relevance of the study of history in today's fast-paced world. The chapters here will resonate with a new generation of readers: on everyday history, oral history, material culture, public history, event analysis, and historical research on the Internet. This Part also includes two new chapters for this edition. "GIS and CSI" examines the use of geographic information systems and the science of forensics in discovering and seeing the patterns of the past. "Too Much Information" treats the issue of information overload, glut, fatigue, and anxiety, while giving the reader meaningful signals that can benefit the study and craft of history. A new epilogue for this edition argues for the persistence of history as a useful and critically important way to understand the world despite the information deluge.