How to Write Historical Biographies
Online Books, Archival Documents, and Genealogical Resources
Dec 27, 2008
Not all pertinent information about a person of the past is known. Various publications often present contradictory facts, especially when the recorded material was written during that person’s lifetime.
Historians’ Perspectives
Searches of repositories and websites can give new life to an individual’s story. Today, with thousands of documents and photographs available on line, it is possible to learn many details otherwise unknown. Frequently, opinion pieces about the person’s life can surprise and inform. Historians are apt to see social and personal information from different perspectives that enable the new researcher to realize that the subject’s story is not as simple or as complex as originally thought.
Historical Facts Chart
A helpful method of putting the historical biography together is to draw a chart where the gathered vital information is listed for comparison. This is a necessary step when there are conflicting statements presented as facts by biographers. Those ‘facts’ need further research for confirmation or refutation.
Google Books Online
Excellent sources of information are the historical books that Google now has on line. A subject search will find book content to match. Books that are out of copyright, or where permission is given, show full or partial text that is invaluable when piecing together a historical character’s biography.
Project Gutenberg Online Book Catalogue
Cited on its homepage as “the first producer of free electronic books (ebooks)", Project Gutenberg is an excellent source where searches are possible. As well, there is the very helpful browse option for author, title, language choices or list of recent postings.
National Archives
National Archives very often include documents that present information or pictures not found in books. The images are frequently available, with permission, for inclusion in the historical biographies.
Specialty Archives
Many Universities have extensive archival information that is more localized and can be obtained on line or by written request. Very often these archives include documentation of peoples’ personal lives and the activities that made them famous or infamous. They may include personal letters or diaries and photographs.
Genealogical Searches
The dates and locations of births and deaths may not have been available when earlier biographies were written. Writers of the day may have been uninformed or misinformed of the individual’s parental information that could present a more complete picture. Today, with numerous genealogy websites available, and many census records on line, it may be possible to prove the vital information that rounds out the biography.
Historical Biographies Essentials
Historical biographies should include:
- Opening paragraph with an intriguing, little-known or exciting fact to entice the readers
- Elaboration on the opening information
- Family facts and information on early life influences
- Quotations regarding the subject’s accomplishments and/or social context
- Summary of the information and societal results of the subject’s actions
The perception that historical biographies are important only when they are about prominent individuals is incorrect. There are ‘ordinary folks’ whose stories can help readers learn about and understand the past.
An example of the type of file that can provide additional information is The National Registration File of 1940 (Canada).
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