Table of Contents

Illustrations vi Abbreviations vii Glossary ix Preface xiii 1. Choosing a subject: theme, place and time 1 2. The search for sources 35 3. Transcribing 53 4. Analysing and assembling evidence 67 5. Creating an interpretation 79 6. The challenge of writing 85 7. Starting to write 93 8. Producing a final draft 111 9. Publishing 125 10. Recapitulation 137 11. Conclusions: the nature of local history 139 12. Further reading 169 Appendices 1. Published sources 175 2. Transcribing documents 182 3. Historical dating 185 4. Choosing words and framing sentences 186 5. Characteristics of historical language 188 6. Basic rules for referencing 190 7. Extracts of written history 199 Index 206