Defining Secondary Sources in Historical Research

In historical methodology, sources fall into two essential categories: primary and secondary. Primary sources are original materials contemporaneous with the events under study—letters, diaries, photographs, government records, artifacts, and oral histories. Secondary sources, by contrast, are works that analyze, interpret, or synthesize primary evidence. They provide commentary, context, and scholarly argumentation built upon firsthand accounts. Standard examples include scholarly monographs, peer-reviewed journal articles, and well-researched documentary films.

Publications produced by historical societies occupy a distinctive position within this framework. While they are not themselves primary documents, they often compile, transcribe, and annotate primary materials, making them accessible to a broader audience. At the same time, they include interpretive essays, historiographical reviews, and analytical narratives that elevate raw evidence into structured knowledge. This dual function—preserving raw materials while offering informed analysis—makes society publications uniquely valuable for regional and local history.

The classification of these works as secondary sources is widely accepted within the historical profession. The American Historical Association recognizes that any work that interprets or contextualizes primary evidence qualifies as secondary, regardless of its format or intended audience. Historical society publications therefore meet the standard definition, even when they include extensive transcriptions of original records.

The Distinctive Role of Historical Societies

Historical societies are non-profit organizations dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting the history of a specific geographic area—a state, county, city, or even a neighborhood. Unlike academic history departments that often focus on national or global narratives, historical societies anchor their work in place. Their publications reflect that local emphasis, covering topics that mainstream academic journals typically overlook: the development of a town’s infrastructure, the biographies of lesser-known community leaders, the evolution of local industries, or the cultural traditions of immigrant groups.

These organizations serve as bridges between professional historians and the general public. Their publications are written to be accessible to non-specialists while still meeting scholarly standards. This accessibility does not diminish their value as secondary sources; rather, it enhances their utility for teachers, genealogists, journalists, and lifelong learners who need reliable information about a specific locale. Moreover, historical societies often maintain archives that house the very primary sources used in their publications, giving them an authority that few other publishers can match.

How Historical Society Publications Are Created

The production of a historical society publication typically involves several rigorous steps:

  • Research and collection: Staff or volunteers gather primary documents, oral histories, photographs, and artifacts related to a chosen topic. This process often draws from the society’s own holdings, ensuring that the materials are authentic and well-documented.
  • Interpretation and analysis: Authors—who may be professional historians, graduate students, or experienced local experts—place the gathered materials into historical context, connect them to broader themes, and draw evidence-based conclusions. This interpretive step is what makes the resulting work a secondary source.
  • Peer review or editorial oversight: Many historical society journals employ an editorial board or outside reviewers to ensure factual accuracy and interpretive soundness. Even smaller societies often have a review process, sometimes in partnership with a nearby university.
  • Publication and dissemination: The final work is printed or published digitally, distributed to members, libraries, and online databases. Many societies also make back issues available through platforms such as JSTOR or the Digital Public Library of America.

Because the process includes rigorous fact-checking and contextualization, the resulting publications are correctly classified as secondary sources, even when they include lengthy excerpts of original documents.

Types of Publications and Their Uses

Historical societies produce a wide range of materials, each serving different research needs. Understanding the distinctions helps researchers select the most appropriate sources for their work.

Scholarly Journals

Many state and regional historical societies publish quarterly or semi-annual journals featuring peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, and primary source presentations. For example, the Minnesota Historical Society’s Minnesota History magazine has been in continuous publication since 1915, offering thoroughly researched articles that draw on the society’s vast collections. Another notable example is the New York History journal published by the Fenimore Art Museum and the New York State Historical Association. Such journals are indispensable secondary sources for anyone studying the history of a particular region. They often undergo the same peer-review process as academic journals, with submissions evaluated by historians specializing in the relevant field.

Monographs and Book Series

Historical societies often commission or support book-length studies on specific subjects: the history of a county, a biography of a notable local figure, or an analysis of a significant event. These monographs are frequently written by academic historians who specialize in the region, ensuring that they meet the same standards as university press publications. They are cataloged in library systems and cited in scholarly works, solidifying their status as secondary sources. Some societies, like the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, operate full-fledged publishing programs that produce dozens of titles each year.

Newsletters and Bulletins

While typically lighter in content, newsletters can still serve as secondary sources when they include summaries of recent research, updates on archival acquisitions, or brief interpretive pieces. They are particularly useful for tracking the ongoing work of historical societies and for identifying recent scholarship that might otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, the quarterly newsletter of a county historical society might highlight a new interpretation of a local Civil War battle, complete with citations to primary sources.

Edited Collections and Anthologies

Some societies compile thematic volumes that bring together articles, primary documents, and photographs around a central topic—such as “World War II in [State]” or “The Mining Boom of the 1890s.” These collections provide a ready-made secondary source for classroom use and general reference. They often include introductory essays that synthesize the state of scholarship on the topic, making them valuable for researchers new to the subject.

Digital Publications and Databases

In the digital age, many historical societies have created online resources that function as secondary sources. These include searchable databases of historical articles, interactive maps with interpretive essays, and curated online exhibits. The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) aggregates content from thousands of institutions, including historical societies, making regional scholarship available to a global audience. The Library of Congress also partners with state historical societies to digitize and interpret local history. Such digital initiatives expand the reach and impact of society publications, allowing researchers worldwide to access what were once niche local resources.

Evaluating the Credibility of Historical Society Publications

Not all secondary sources are of equal quality. Researchers must evaluate historical society publications just as they would any academic work. Key criteria include:

  • Attribution: Are sources cited clearly? Does the publication include footnotes, endnotes, or a bibliography? Good attribution allows readers to trace the evidence and verify claims.
  • Authority: Who authored the piece? What are their qualifications? Are they recognized specialists in the field? Many historical society publications list author affiliations and academic credentials.
  • Review process: Is the publication peer-reviewed or edited by a board? Has it received awards or recognition from professional organizations such as the American Historical Association or the American Association for State and Local History?
  • Bias and perspective: Does the work present multiple viewpoints, or does it advance a narrow agenda? Good secondary sources acknowledge complexity and debate. For example, a publication about a contested land claim should present evidence from both sides rather than simply championing one interpretation.
  • Timeliness: Has the work been updated to reflect recent scholarship? Outdated interpretations can mislead researchers. Historical societies increasingly produce revised editions or supplementary online content to address newer findings.

Reputable historical societies prioritize these standards. The National Endowment for the Humanities has funded many state historical society projects that undergo rigorous review, further ensuring quality. Many societies also participate in the AASLH StEPs program (Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations), which sets benchmarks for institutional practices, including publications.

Challenges Facing Historical Society Publications

Despite their immense value, historical society publications face significant obstacles that threaten their long-term viability and impact.

Funding Constraints

Most historical societies operate on tight budgets, often relying on membership fees, donations, and occasional grants. Publishing requires money for editing, design, printing, and distribution. When funding is cut, journals may reduce frequency, or societies may cease publication altogether. This threatens the continuity of regional historical scholarship. Some societies have turned to print-on-demand or fully digital models to reduce costs, but these solutions require upfront investment in technology and training.

Digital Transition

The shift from print to digital has been both an opportunity and a challenge. Digitizing back issues makes them searchable and accessible, but it requires technical expertise and ongoing costs for hosting and maintenance. Many small societies lack the resources to undertake large-scale digitization without external grants. Additionally, digital publications must be formatted for different devices and platforms, adding complexity. However, once digitized, these materials can reach a global audience and be integrated into research databases.

Maintaining Scholarly Rigor

As volunteer organizations, some historical societies struggle to maintain consistent editorial standards. Articles written by well-meaning but untrained amateurs may contain errors or fail to engage with scholarly conversations. Balancing inclusivity with quality control is an ongoing tension. To address this, many societies now require authors to undergo a formal review process or to collaborate with academic consultants. The best societies see this as part of their educational mission.

Reaching New Audiences

Historical society publications have traditionally been read by members and local libraries. Expanding their reach to younger audiences, educators, and a diverse public requires marketing, outreach, and sometimes a redesign of content and format. Social media, podcasts, and open-access publishing are part of the solution. Some societies have created youth-oriented versions of their publications or partnered with schools to develop curriculum materials based on their research.

Opportunities for Growth and Impact

Despite the challenges, historical society publications are more relevant than ever. Several trends are amplifying their role in the landscape of historical research.

Collaboration with Academic Institutions

Universities increasingly partner with historical societies to co-publish journals, host digital humanities projects, and provide student internships. Such collaborations bring fresh scholarship and technical skills to society publications, raising their profile in the academic world. For example, the Pacific Northwest Quarterly is jointly published by the University of Washington and the Washington State Historical Society, combining academic rigor with regional focus.

Digital Humanities and Open Access

Initiatives like the DPLA and state-level digital repositories encourage historical societies to make their publications freely available online. Open access increases citation rates, supports K-12 and college education, and democratizes access to historical knowledge. Grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) often fund such projects, enabling societies to digitize not just recent publications but also rare out-of-print titles.

Community History and Public Engagement

Historical societies are embracing community-driven history, partnering with local residents to co-create publications that reflect diverse experiences. This approach enriches secondary sources with perspectives that traditional academic narratives may overlook. Oral history transcripts, collaborative digital maps, and crowd-sourced photo archives are examples of how publications can evolve. For instance, the Chicago History Museum has published community-curated exhibitions online that function as secondary sources.

Enhanced Discoverability

With better metadata and indexing, historical society publications are now easier to find through library catalogs, Google Scholar, and dedicated databases such as JSTOR, Project MUSE, or the HathiTrust Digital Library. This discoverability ensures that these secondary sources are not buried in obscure shelves but are integrated into mainstream research. Many societies also contribute metadata to WorldCat, making their holdings visible to researchers worldwide.

Conclusion

Publications by historical societies are essential secondary sources that enrich regional history. They bridge the gap between primary data and public understanding, ensuring that local heritage is preserved, studied, and appreciated for generations to come. Whether in print or digital form, these works provide context, analysis, and interpretation that transform raw records into meaningful history. For researchers, students, and anyone curious about the places they live, historical society publications offer a gateway to the past that is both authoritative and accessible.

As these organizations adapt to funding realities and embrace digital tools, their role as producers of reliable secondary sources will only grow stronger. The continued support of members, donors, and institutional partners will be crucial. In an era of information abundance, the carefully researched and thoughtfully curated publications of historical societies stand as trusted pillars of local knowledge—a foundation upon which broader historical understanding is built.