Nearby History: Exploring the Past Around You

by David E. Kyvig, Myron A. Marty, Larry Cebula

Nearby History by David E. Kyvig and Myron A. Marty is one of the essential volumes on any public historian’s bookshelf and syllabus. Whereas every other “how to do history” book seems aimed at fledgling academic historians and grounds its advice on academic libraries and footnoting, it is Nearby History that shows the reader how to do hands-on public history research with the resources found in every community. First published in 1984, the book remains as important as ever. And yet the world of historical research has changed since 1984--not just the explosion of online historical sources but also the possibilities of using digital cameras and scanners for research, digital communities for historical collaboration, and podcasts, smartphone apps and websites to present research and interpretations of nearby history. It is time for an update.

Newly updated by Larry Cebula, this fourth edition of Nearby History is a comprehensive handbook for those interested in investigating the history of communities, families, local institutions, and cultural artifacts, Nearby History helps its readers research the world near at hand. In this fourth edition, the authors discuss a variety of research approaches involving published literature, unpublished documents, oral histories, visual and material sources, and landscapes; offer guidance in the uses of technology, particularly digital photography and digital voice recording; and suggest methods of historical presentation. The authors also explore the promise and pitfalls of research in the digital age. Richly illustrated with photos and documents, Nearby History is an excellent resource for both professionally trained and self-taught historians.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Reference, Grad School, School, Read For School

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was reading this book for Professional Development and I can say that this book did give me plenty to think about. Working in a Local History room at a public library I get all manner of patrons asking questions about the most obscure topics and I do my best, but sometimes reading about the methodology of Local History can be a great help in terms of helping patrons while also researching and creating new resources for patrons.

Having said that, this book has a lot of problems. The chiefest among them being that Kyvig spends far too much ink asking questions rather than providing answers. I understand that by giving these questions he's attempting to generate consideration on the part of his reader, but when there are three pages of questions to consider when approaching looking at old photographs reading this book becomes monotonous and tiresome.

There's also the issue with the fact that this book is pretty outdated when it comes to the use of computers and research.

David Kyvig gave me plenty of ideas to consider when approaching, and helping patrons, with the concept and structure of Local History, and so I'm glad I read this book. But the reader should probably see if there's a more updated or contemporary work that could get them started.

[Carol Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for the beginning historian. I found it odd that while there is a separate list of illustrations, the authors did not provide credit lines for these images.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard copy. I read this as part of my Master's Program for Museum Studies.
It tells how historians can observe details of history literally everywhere you look. Little tidbits of history are found in the small details of every day life: in the colors and symbols of advertising, traffic, and informational signs, the very makeup and distribution of our neighborhoods and social centers, the architecture of buildings, and more.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Nearby History" explores ways of studying and presenting local history. It is an excellent "how-to" book for small local museums and historical associations to explore the past in their area.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been fascinated by history all my life and that’s the direction my undergraduate degree went in. Unless you teach, however, it’s not easy to earn a living in history, and I knew early on I would make a terrible professor, so while one graduate degree was also in history, the other was in library science, and I picked up a professional qualification as an archivist, as well. I spent my career in a very large urban library system and, adding to the mix a lifelong interest in genealogy and family research, I ended up involved for many years in various aspects of “local history.”

There’s a tendency among academics, frankly, to sneer at local history because it usually doesn’t deal with “big” events, and because many of its practitioners are “amateurs.” No international leaders, no world wars, no large-scale ethnic migrations. But approached locally, you’ll find a great deal of politics, as well as the effects of war and of generational migration, at least in the U.S. (My own ancestors went from Maryland and Virginia to California in only three generations and took an active part in several major wars along the way.) I’ve assisted other researchers in architectural history, and in discovering a few well-known Bad Guys in historical county court records, and in tracing the development of local ethnic communities, and in figuring out where pioneer residents are buried, and in transcribing hundreds of unpublished documents that cast light on how our predecessors lived and dealt with the world.

And in doing talks to local groups, I always recommended the first two editions of Kyvig’s book as the best how-to handbook available. This third edition is a complete update in terms of methodology and available sources as well as pointing out new social, political, and cultural concerns in local research. The chapters deal with storytelling, published and unpublished documents, oral history, photography and other visual sources, artifacts (from both the attic and the public park), landscape and buildings, and the whole problem of historic preservation in tension with commercial development. And the chapter on writing up one’s results and leaving a record for the next generation is still excellent. Until the 4th edition is published, this not-huge volume will continue to be the most useful starting point for anyone interested in the history around them.

[Kathy KS · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason, even though I'm interested in this topic, I struggled through this book. I believe I enjoyed Carol Kammen's On Doing Local History more. As a librarian and genealogist, I was especially disappointed with the fact that this edition came out in 2010 yet did not mention that the U.S. Censuses, several state censuses, and passenger lists are available on the Web. The authors merely cited larger libraries and/or microfilm at the Family History Library (Salt Lake) as possible locations. The final bibliographic page citing internet resources also only mentions Ancestry. Yes, it's the highest profile "for pay" site, but many of the types of resources mentioned in this book, including newspapers, are also available from sites like HeritageQuest, Genealogy Bank, World Vital Records, Fold3, Ellis Island, and others (all have been around for years now).

My favorite part of each chapters was actually the Notes and bibliographic references. That is where the authors included real examples and photographs (even in the ebook version), as well as MANY titles worth checking out. I've added a few to my reading list already and I'm glad to know about some of the others, for the future.

So, the book does highlight an area of historical research that I feel needs more attention; I'm thankful for that. It's worth checking out for others interested in the topic, but I feel it's not the most readable work.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't judge me but I loved this book so much for all the times it said "World Wide Web" and then "CD-ROM databases" near the end. It was first published in 1982, and just the use of language around technology was pretty telling, which I think in itself is important. Anyway, another book for school, which was oddly comforting, there were moments where I was like "Oh hey, I already do that for my research." So I feel validated by the suggested research techniques in this one. Thanks, Nearby History.

P.S. I am a little bitter you didn't mention the Hollerith Machine when discussing the census or John Carbutt in your photography section (because what a name), but yeah, I get why they weren't mentioned.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nearby History by Kyvig and Marty is a handbook designed for those interested in the practice of documenting local history, and is often used in public history or American studies classes. In its third edition since being published in 1982, it has been freshened and brought up-to-date. Organized around the primary types of documents utilized in researching local history, the book’s primary strength remains the scores of resources offered for consideration. Chapter 2 (What can be done nearby?) suggests a number of starting points for local history projects. Good stuff.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book...though I should say that if you aren't interested in history, public history or how to find information in nontraditional places...this is not the book for you. Now, if you are thinking of doing your family history, there may be some valuable things in this book. I can't wait to do more research using these tools and ideas!

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clear, concise, and well-written guide to "doing history" in one's hometown. It is written for a general audience but can serve as a useful "booster shot" to a trained historian. The book's historiography chapter and set of sample forms are both welcome additions to a methods-based guide.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a great book for an undergrad/someone who has not done research before. While the book is well-written, there are a LOT of lists, and the discussion of "the new-fangled Internet and computers" can get a little old. A great reference book when a person has a specific problem, I'm not sure how useful it is cover-to-cover.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyvig and Marty do a good job of explaining how public history affects researchers and historians, aspects of a public historian's career, and methods to view sources for their secondary value so that different research avenues can be explored. Our class did not reference the text much at all, but I enjoyed it as a resource to think about public history in aspects I had not previously employed.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was assigned to study this book from a Museum workshop. It applies readily to anyone doing research about people. It has a lot of good basic information to guide a researcher just starting out or professional. And it is enjoyable easy reading. A good reference.

[Starbubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of dated, but still is a pretty good guide for conducting research.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dull, but useful.

[Candis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent for a school textbook - at least it is one of the better ones.

[Ashley Mayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to understand the history surrounding your family or town, this is a great reference book on where to start, and how to proceed. It's a great book for the amateur historian!

[Duane Prejean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required Reading Textbook for my Upper level history class. This is a fantastic manual for Local Public History. Highly Informative discusses best and modern practices of Local Public Historians.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot about nearby history and the role it plays in public history.