Preliminary investigation

Determine what historical evidence exists before committing to a larger research project.

Every historical commission begins with a question. For example:

What is the history of my property?
Who founded our organisation?
How did this industry develop?
What is the story behind this landmark?
What historical evidence exists relating to this person or event?

Before undertaking a substantial historical research project, it is often valuable to understand what evidence is available to answer that question. A Preliminary Investigation is a short, focused research service designed to identify, locate and assess the historical source material available for a proposed project.

The service helps clients understand the likely scope of a project, the availability of evidence and the most appropriate pathway for future research.

Why commission a Preliminary Investigation?

Historical research projects vary significantly in complexity. Some subjects are supported by extensive documentary evidence, photographs, maps, organisational records and archival collections. Others may have limited surviving evidence or require access to specialised repositories. A Preliminary Investigation helps answer questions such as:

What historical evidence exists?
Where is that evidence located?
How accessible is it?
Is sufficient evidence available to answer my research question?
what type of historical research project is most appropriate?

For many clients, a Preliminary Investigation provides confidence before committing to a larger project.

What does this involve?

Depending on the nature of the project, Michael may:

Search online catalogues and finding aids.
Identify relevant libraries, archives and repositories.
Locate historical newspapers and publications.
Identify photographs, maps and plans.
Assess the availability of organisational and government records.
Identify oral history opportunities.
Evaluate the likely value of available sources.
Assess the feasibility of further research.

The focus is not on undertaking the complete research project, but on understanding what evidence is available to support it.

Where might historical evidence be located?

Historical evidence may be found within:

Local and regional libraries.
State libraries.
The National Library of Australia.
Local government archives.
State archives.
The National Archives of Australia.
Historical societies and museums.
University archives and special collections.
Organisational archives.
Government departments and agencies.
Online newspaper databases.
Land title repositories.
Oral history collections.
Private collections and family archives.

The repositories investigated will depend on the nature of the project.

What will I receive?

The outcome of a Preliminary Investigation is a Preliminary Investigation Report. The report typically includes:

A summary of the proposed project.
The client's research question.
Historical sources identified.
Source locations and repository details.
An assessment of source availability and accessibility.
Preliminary observations regarding the quality and scope of available evidence.
Recommendations regarding future research.

The report may also recommend the most appropriate next step, such as:

Typical timeframe

A Preliminary Investigation typically involves a limited period of focused research designed to identify and assess available source material. The scope of the investigation will depend on the nature of the project and the complexity of the research question.

Example

A client is seeking a history of a nineteenth-century commercial building. Rather than immediately commissioning a larger project, the client first commissions a Preliminary Investigation. The investigation identifies land title records, historical newspapers, council records, photographs and local history collections relevant to the property. It also identifies the repositories where these sources are located and assesses the extent to which they may help answer the client's research question. The resulting Preliminary Investigation Report recommends a Property and Place Summary Report as the most appropriate next stage of research.

Why undertake a Preliminary Investigation?

A Preliminary Investigation can:

Reduce uncertainty before commencing a larger project.
Identify relevant historical evidence and repositories.
Clarify the likely scope of future research.
Assist in determining the most appropriate research pathway.
Provide greater confidence when planning a historical research project.
Support informed decision-making.

For many clients, a Preliminary Investigation represents a practical first step in answering a historical research question.

Ready to discuss your project?

Complete the Contact Form to discuss your historical research requirements.