Historical and Archival Research

Historical Research Requires Perspective

Historical research is more than the collation of facts. It requires critical analysis, systematic investigation, and careful interpretation of source material to build a comprehensive understanding of the past.

Research Services

Research projects may include military history, community and local history, organisational histories, provenance research, photographic research, heritage investigations, collections and archival research.

Historical Research That Reveals Deeper Context and Understanding

Historical research involves examining available evidence before forming meaningful conclusions. This process can reveal new information and fresh perspectives, requiring historians to reinterpret what is known and, at times, reshape understanding of past events.

• Using a range of sources, including primary, secondary and tertiary material, to build a fuller understanding of events.
• Thinking critically when reading and viewing research materials, as evidence is not always straightforward and may require careful questioning and comparison.
• Developing new perspectives that expand, challenge or refine existing interpretations of history.

Second World War Military Research

Nanette has spent several years researching the Second World War service of an English DEMS gunner. This has been a challenging project, particularly due to restricted access to service records, war diaries and convoy movement records. When the research began, the internet and digitisation, as they are known today, did not exist. Contact with relevant UK institutions was carried out by fax and mail to locate and request copies of original files. As these records have gradually been declassified, unsealed and digitised, ongoing research has been greatly assisted by the work of relevant agencies and their digitisation departments.

Researching Military Heritage Collections

Researching the stories behind items held by the Henley & Grange RSL Sub-branch requires detailed analysis of a wide range of material. Through careful cross-referencing of dates, battalions, war diaries, service records, and personal accounts, Nanette has uncovered valuable stories connected to the club’s collection.

Although this work can be time-consuming and complex, critical reading and research using available local and international source material has revealed previously unknown details. These discoveries provide new insights into the items, their owners and the events in which they were involved.

Research Across Adelaide and South Australia

Based in Henley Beach within the City of Charles Sturt, research projects are undertaken throughout Adelaide, the western suburbs, Port Adelaide and regional South Australia.