Research

Researching History

Researching historical archives can be either a fabulous experience or a tedious one, depending on your interest in hitting the bowels of libraries. I love the idea of research, but sometimes I need to stop to concentrate on the actual story that I'm writing. If we are writing an accurate piece of non-fiction though details will be critically important and references will need to be kept,.

Places to find the information you require

Websites can provide you with a general background of the time you are writing in. But the legwork of visiting museums, libraries, locations and interviewing is essential to create a clear idea of the time period you are in and the creation of that world.

Museums

Museums not only provide stimulus to your story, they contain original artefacts. To view them is a mind tingling experience, as we are seeing the items that people held or created some hundreds and even thousands of years ago.

There are so many museums both here in Australia or overseas to visit:

Here are a few.

Australian Museum
Maritime Museums (in all states and countries)
For those writing about the sailing experience this is a fantastic place to explore.

Some fabulous international places to visit:

British Museum: Rosetta Stone.
Louve: Mona Lisa.

Libraries

Libraries are a pivotal place to find information. Apart from primary sources there is an array of textbooks that cover all the topics imaginable.

Some informative libraries (beside your local one):

State Libraries and National Library
Mitchell Library, Sydney.
London Library: This includes the artefacts of Magna Carta and many original writers' manuscripts.
Databases for ebooks.

Talk to the Experts

If you are able to contact an expert in a particular field of a historical period, this can certainly expand your knowledge and affirm specific details.

Pictures and Photos