History is a conversation between the present and what remains of the past, most of which was not written or created with the aim of helping future historians. Some voices from the past are much louder than others - we are likely to hear more from people who could write and from those involved in legal disputes, for instance. There is plenty of room for polite disagreement about how far the available evidence reveals the full story and to debate the conclusions we draw from it.
The online resources set out below help us consider how we can:
- find and assess evidence relevant to our interests
- write up and then share our discoveries and insights
They also warn about some pitfalls to watch out for.
Getting started
After deciding what you want to write about, it is wise to sketch out the main aspects that you plan to cover and the order in which you will address them. No initial plan is set in stone but starting with an outline makes the task less daunting and helps guard against sidetracking away from the subjects which the author really wants to address. It also makes it more likely that you will actually complete your project.
You don't necessarily have to work on your own. Naseby: A Parish History is an excellent example of what a group of people can achieve together.
Historical sources
When researching historical subjects, it is important to consult primary documents (including reliable copies and translations), as well as relevant books, articles and other media that have already been written. All evidence should be evaluated with a critical eye. Some of the collections of material that can help with research into the history of Northamptonshire are:
- Northamptonshire Archives
- The National Archives
- Northamptonshire Record Society publications, including 'Northamptonshire Past & Present'
- Our Signposts collection, which provides links to many resources published by other people and organisations as well as those from the Record Society.
Citing references
When writing history, it is important to flag up the sources that have been used, including them either as footnotes or as a list at the end of your article or book. In most cases, readers will not be able to consult in person unique documents or all of the books involved. Therefore, if such sources are available online, please do include the links that can be used to find them there. To try and guard against the danger of 'reference rot', it is wise to advise your readers along these lines: 'Internet links cited were checked on the date of publication. If any no longer work or their destinations have changed for the worse, you may be able to find the material that the link previously led to by using the Wayback Machine'.
Wikipedia offers a vast quantity and range of material but has its limitations. It is crowd-sourced, which means that anyone can create an article or change an existing one. Many of its articles about Northamptonshire History refer to reliable sources and include carefully explained conclusions. However, other contributions are of poorer quality and lack reliable sources. Some Wikipedia articles contain ingredients from people with a cause to promote or an axe to grind. Therefore, Wikipedia itself should never be cited as source. In contrast, many Wikipedia articles include lists of references and external links which may themselves be reliable sources and are frequently available online.
Pictures and maps
Pictures, maps and other images add a great deal to almost any book or article. They explain many aspects much more clearly than is possible with words alone. By featuring illustrations, preferably at least some in colour, authors can increase the number of people likely to read what they have written. If the original image was in black and white and has been colourised, that should be stated.
When you seek illustrations to include in your work, it can be a great help to visit Wikimedia Commons. The site offers over 142,000,000 media files that are either in the public domain or licensed for use without charge under conditions that are not onerous.
Visit the Maps section of our site for details of access to free digitised, zoomable maps published by Ordnance Survey and others, many of which are in the public domain.
Some social media groups, local history societies and other online resources share images of vintage pictures such as postcards that show streets and buildings which no longer survive.
Appendixes
The ready flow of an account is liable to be blocked if it includes lengthy and complicated material such as the full text of wills. It is better to include such resources as appendixes, where they can be consulted by readers who wish to delve deeper into those particular areas.
Copyright
Please do not overlook this important subject. Advice is available in Copyright and related rights, a paper published by The National Archives which includes flowcharts for the duration of copyright both where Crown copyright is involved and otherwise. It is also worth consulting 'Guidance on copyright and re-use of images' by The National Library of Scotland.
Just because something has been placed online (by the author or anyone else) does not release it from copyright protection.
The accurate reproduction of a scanned book or image does not create a fresh copyright – see the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the case THJ Systems Limited & Anor v Daniel Sheridan & Anor [2023] EWCA Civ 1354. Paragraph 16 of the judgement makes it clear that in order for copyright to be created “What is required is that the author was able to express their creative abilities in the production of the work by making free and creative choices so as to stamp the work created with their personal touch […] This criterion is not satisfied where the content of the work is dictated by technical considerations, rules or other constraints which leave no room for creative freedom.”
The implications of this judgement for copyright policy at UK cultural institutions are discussed by Douglas McCarthy in After THJvSheridan.
Publishing and further reading
Which of the various ways of publishing you use will depend on:
- the length and the subject matter of what you have written, and
- how much (if anything) you are willing to spend or risk spending
Our Get Involved page provides details of how you can explore the scope for including an article or book in the Record Society's own publishing programme.
Among the relevant resources available online without charge are:
- How to write and publish local and family history successfully by Bob Trubshaw [2026] contains a vast range of material on how to research, organise and write about historical subjects.
- Sharing across the World Internet Archive encourages individuals as well as organisations to share their free digital publications and does not charge for hosting the material uploaded for an indefinite period.
- The Internet - Opportunities & Pitfalls for Historians by Francis Howcutt [2024]
Why do we write history?
There are all sorts of reasons, some more noble than others. A summary of the positive motives that inspired David Ball, a local author whose works are now freely available online, can be seen on the Ringstead People site.