Community history

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Preserve and document the stories, experiences and heritage that shape a community through rigorous historical research.

Every community has a story. Community history research seeks to uncover, preserve and share the people, events, organisations, traditions and experiences that contribute to a community's identity and sense of place. Communities are shaped not only by historical events but also by the memories, experiences and contributions of the people who live within them. Community history research draws upon documentary, archival and oral history sources to preserve these stories for future generations. It can help strengthen community identity, preserve local heritage and create a lasting historical record whether documenting the history of a town, village, neighbourhood, cultural group or community organisation..

Community types

Michael undertakes research relating to:

Towns and villages
Regional communities
Neighbourhoods and localities
Cultural communities
Migrant communities
Community organisations
Sporting and recreational communities
Religious communities
Educational communities
Heritage communities

Typical research sources

Research may include the following sources depending on the nature of the project:

Historical newspapers
Local histories
Council records
Community organisation records
Photographs and audiovisual materials
Personal papers and collections
Family histories
Oral history interviews
Government records
Maps and plans
Museum and historical society collections

Research questions and deliverables

Every historical research project begins with a question. The nature of the question influences the scope of the research and the final deliverable, for example:

The final deliverable will depend on the research question, availability of historical evidence and client objectives.

Case studies

The following case studies illustrate how historical research can help answer specific questions and produce deliverables tailored to client needs, for example:

Why commission a Community history?

Community histories can:

Preserve important local stories.
Support heritage and conservation initiatives.
Strengthen community identity and sense of place.
Celebrate significant anniversaries and milestones.
Document the history of buildings and landmarks.
Create lasting historical records for future generations.

Ready to explore the history of your community?

Complete the Contact Form to discuss your project.

Community types

A local council is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a small regional town. The council wishes to recognise significant milestones in the town's development and create historical content that can be shared with residents and visitors during anniversary celebrations.

The council's fundamental research question is "What are the key dates, milestones and events in the history of our town?"

The council receives a Community Timeline. This includes significant dates relating to the town's establishment, major developments, important community events, notable organisations and significant local achievements. The timeline is supported by photographs, newspaper articles and documentary sources and can be used in displays, publications, presentations, websites and social media content.

A community organisation wishes to preserve the memories and experiences of long-term residents before those stories are lost. The organisation hopes to build an accessible community resource that captures local knowledge, personal experiences and insights into past ways of life.

The organisation's fundamental research question is "What stories, memories and experiences do long-term residents remember about life in our community?"

The organisation receives a Community Oral History Collection. This includes recorded oral history interviews, interview transcripts, consent documentation, interview summaries and recommendations for the preservation and management of project assets. The collection preserves personal recollections, community knowledge and lived experiences that may not exist in documentary sources and provides a valuable resource for future generations.

A local historical society is preparing to mark the 150th anniversary of its district and wishes to create a legacy publication documenting the history of the community. The society hopes to preserve the stories of the people, organisations, industries and events that shaped the district and provide a permanent historical record for future generations.

The society's fundamental research question is "What is the complete history of our community from its establishment to the present day?"

The society receives a Community History Book or Monograph. This includes a comprehensive written history of the community, historical timelines, photographs, maps, oral histories, profiles of significant individuals and organisations, major events and developments, and a detailed reference list of sources which underpin the research. The completed work is published as a professionally designed book or monograph which preserves the community's story and contributes to a greater understanding of local history and identity.

Typical research sources

Research questions and deliverables

Case studies

Why commission a Community history?