QRMSS Ch. 9 Social Historical Research and Oral Traditions

Chapter 9 is about social historical research and oral traditions. This deals with historical data and reconstruction of the past. We examine “elements of history, and seek to offer theoretical explanation for various historical events. Past refers conceptually to events of long ago.” (Berg & Lune, 2012, p.304) This type of research attempts to create written accounts of the past.

Where do these data sources come from?

There are 3 types of sources that we may collect from. The first is referred to as primary sources. These include, oral or written testimonies. These can be documents, documents by witness, photos, recordings, journals or diaries. In another class of mine, I will be gathering this type of information for an ethno-history family case study. I intend to document and study family photos of my great grandparents.

A secondary source could be considered oral history and written testimonies from people who weren’t there when event occurred, but later learned about it. An example of these sources can be textbooks. The problem with this type of information is that the stories may become embellished over time. This is much like the childhood game of telephone, where original message becomes distorted or diluted over time. In order to fact check, seek out multiple sources to make sense of or verify stories. I will be collecting this type of data from my grandfathers, in regards to questions about my deceased ancestors and our lineage.

Tertiary sources are an election of all secondary sources. Examples of tertiary sources include encyclopedias, almanacs, or ancestral lineage charts.

Remember when using these sources to heavily evaluate them. Look to external criticism for authenticity. Is there a bias to the source? What is viewpoint or authority of the person documenting? Was there an audience or frame of mind intended within the writing? Does the source match up with historical context or time period? Always check for links to anything else.

Social historical research can prove very rewarding and invaluable. This research will get you out into the field, active and involved, as a lot of these sources may not be so easily available. I look forward to utilizing these ideas when researching my family history. I also intend to audio record my grandfathers’ interviews. I regret not recording other loved ones memories before they passed!