Finding Historical Fiction Sources
Where to Find the Sources to Make Your Historical Novel Accurate
Museums, libraries and private collections are the place to go to find primary sources and give your historical fiction an authentic voice.
Primary research sources
You know that personal sources such as diaries, letters and photographs will give intimate details to create your historical setting. And you also know that public sources such as newspapers, almanacs and cookbooks will flesh out your novel even more. But where can you find these sources?
Locating primary sources
Family collections are the first place to look if you’re writing about a real person. If your subject is relatively contemporary, contact his / her children or grandchildren. If they’re willing to share information, they may not only have diaries, newspaper clippings and artifacts, but may have their own memories and stories that aren’t available anywhere else. If you’re writing a completely fictional story set in a fairly recent time, look for families who have boxes of “old stuff” stashed in their attics. These may hold a treasure trove of diaries, scrapbooks, wedding or christening gowns, great-grandfather’s war medals, and who knows what else!
Historical societies may have a physical building or may simply have information online or by personal contact, depending on the size and finances of the group. They collect a vast amount of documents, books, images and artifacts on anything from agriculture, commerce, and transportation to ethnic groups, politics and education.
Museums can be centered around one person (a presidential library), one area (local historical museum), or one topic (i.e. dental museum or superheroes museum). All will have information about specific people, but the local historical museum will also have lifestyle information to flesh out your other characters. Tell the curator or manager what you’re working on – you may be surprised at the access you’re given to storage room items.
Public libraries often have state historical rooms, which include period maps, almanacs, county histories, etc. They may also have special collections of diaries, letters, photos, and so forth. Some old diaries are transcribed and bound into books. Also check for novels, poems and collections of songs from your era.
Genealogical and historical websites have more information than pedigree charts. The USGenweb (free) is broken down into states and then counties, and you may find personal or family histories, photos, clippings, and other transcriptions. Ancestry.com not only has online copies of slave narratives, county histories, historical newspapers, etc., but now has newsreels from WWII (most by paid subscription). Check out Cyndi’s List and browse for more ideas.
Use your imagination and an internet search to find what you’re looking for. And as you find records, keep in mind that people wrote (and still write) for a particular purpose, which may affect their wording or how much truth they include. Happy hunting!
