How to Be Documentary Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 27, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of documentary historians has had a drastic effect on the historical record. By chronicling events and people, these historians have been able to capture a more accurate and comprehensive story than ever before. This has enabled scholars to gain a more in-depth understanding of history, as well as providing the public with increased access to primary source documents.

The advent of modern technology has allowed for the easier storage, retrieval, and analysis of this data, further enhancing the historical record. the increased use of social media and other digital media has provided an invaluable platform for sharing these stories. As a result, documentary historians have enabled a more complete and thorough historical record, providing a deeper understanding of the past.

Steps How to Become

Earn a bachelor's degree in history or a related field. A college degree is usually required to become a documentary historian. Coursework should include classes in history, anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, and political science. Additionally, any classes related to the area of history in which you plan to specialize, such as American or European history, are recommended.
Participate in an internship or assistantship. This is an excellent way to gain practical experience in the field and develop valuable contacts.
Pursue a master's degree in documentary history. This is a more specialized area of study and will prepare you for a career as a documentary historian.
Develop an understanding of the different types of documentary history and the research methods used to create them. Learn about primary sources, such as diaries, photographs, and newspaper articles, as well as secondary sources, such as books and articles by historians.
Obtain certification as a documentary historian. This is an advanced credential that requires passing an exam administered by the National Council for Documentary Historians.
Consider joining a professional organization, such as the Society for Documentary Historians or the International Documentary Association, to network and stay up-to-date on the latest research and trends in the field.
Research and write books, articles, or other materials on specific aspects of documentary history. Publish your research in academic journals and other publications, and present at conferences to gain recognition in the field.
Apply for jobs with museums, universities, or other organizations that require documentary historians. Positions may include curating exhibitions, teaching classes, conducting research, or writing articles or books.

Becoming a skilled and competent documentary historian requires dedication and hard work. To begin, one must obtain a degree in history or related field. Once the academic qualifications have been obtained, a good knowledge of archival research is necessary.

This includes understanding how to access and interpret primary sources, such as historical documents, photographs and artifacts. a good grasp of context and analysis is essential for correctly interpreting the information uncovered. As documentary historians progress in their careers, they must also stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies for researching and documenting historical events.

This can be done through attending classes, workshops, or conferences in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. By committing themselves to continual learning, documentary historians can increase their level of expertise and become highly skilled and competent in their work.

You may want to check Genealogical Historian, Family Historian, and Historical Documentation Specialist for alternative.

Job Description

Research Historian: Research historians conduct research in archives, libraries, and other documentary sources. They analyze and interpret historical documents, prepare reports and summaries, and advise on the preservation of records.
Archivist: Archivists are responsible for organizing and preserving historical documents. They evaluate, classify, and catalog documents and artifacts, maintain records, develop strategies for the preservation of materials, and coordinate the acquisition of new records.
Museum Curator: Museum Curators are responsible for the collection, care, and display of museum artifacts. They select and acquire new objects, organize exhibitions, conduct research on collections, and provide public tours and educational programs.
Oral Historian: Oral Historians interview people to document and preserve their stories. They analyze oral histories, write transcripts, and create audio recordings or video documentaries.
Public Historian: Public Historians work in the public sector to promote awareness of history. They develop programs and exhibits for museums, work with local governments on historic preservation projects, and teach classes at universities or community colleges.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of historical research methods and techniques.
Familiarity with archival materials and the ability to interpret them.
Ability to think critically and analyze historical events, documents, and other sources.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Knowledge of world history, as well as specific areas of interest such as politics, economics, and social changes.
Proficiency in the use of computers and current technology to conduct research and create multimedia presentations.
Understanding of the ethical considerations involved in the use of historical sources.
Knowledge of copyright law and the ability to properly source material.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to work effectively with colleagues and collaborate on projects.

Documentary historians have the vital task of researching and analyzing past events in order to inform the public about their importance. As such, the most important skill for a documentary historian is the ability to effectively research and analyze historical data. This includes being able to access primary sources, such as documents, photographs, and artifacts, as well as secondary sources, such as books and articles.

a documentary historian must be able to examine these sources in a critical way, making sure to take into consideration the context of the time period in which they occurred. Furthermore, a documentary historian must also possess strong communication and storytelling skills in order to effectively relay their findings to their audience. Finally, it is also important for documentary historians to have a thorough understanding of history, which can be accomplished through educational programs or through self-directed study.

By possessing these skills, documentary historians can ensure that their work is accurate and informative, providing invaluable knowledge about the past.

Museum Historian, Literary Historian, and Biographical Historian are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you approach researching and interpreting historical documents?
What techniques do you use to create a comprehensive and accurate historical presentation?
How do you stay current on developments in the field of documentary history?
What challenges have you encountered while developing historical documentaries?
How do you ensure accuracy and objectivity when presenting documentary history?
What techniques do you use to ensure that your documentary is engaging for viewers?
What methods do you use to ensure that all relevant information is included in your documentary?
How have you incorporated new technologies or media into your documentary projects?
How have you incorporated the perspectives of marginalized groups into your documentaries?
How do you work with other professionals (e. g. directors, producers, etc. ) to create compelling documentaries?

Common Tools in Industry

Archive software. A digital database used to store and organize large amounts of historical documents, images and other artifacts. (Eg: Archivists Toolkit)
Text Analysis software. Software used to analyze text and extract useful information from large volumes of textual data. (Eg: WordStat)
Content Management System. A software system used to create, manage, store and present digital content. (Eg: Drupal)
Digital Preservation software. Software used to preserve digital content for long-term use. (Eg: Archivematica)
GIS Software. Geographical Information System software used to map and analyze geographic data. (Eg: ArcGIS)
Audio/Visual Editing Software. Software used to edit digital audio and video recordings. (Eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
Research Management Software. Software used to track and manage research projects and data. (Eg: Zotero)
Statistical Analysis Software. Software used to run statistical analysis on datasets. (Eg: SPSS)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Historical Association
American Studies Association
National Council on Public History
National Council on History Education
National Council on the Social Studies
Organization of American Historians
Society of American Archivists
Society of Professional Journalists
International Association for Documentary Filmmakers
International Federation of Film Archives

We also have Oral Historian, Music Historian, and Historical Consultant jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Primary Sources. Historical documents such as diaries, letters, newspaper articles, photographs, or other records created at the time of an event.
Secondary Sources. Histories, biographies, and other works based on primary sources.
Historical Analysis. The process of studying primary sources to draw conclusions about a past event or time period.
Historiography. The study of the history of historical writing and the different ways in which historians interpret evidence.
Archival Research. The practice of locating and analyzing primary source material in archives such as libraries, courthouses, government offices, and museums.
Chronology. The arrangement of events in their order of occurrence.
Contextualization. The process of examining a document or event within its historical and cultural context to gain a better understanding of it.
Oral Histories. Records of interviews with people who experienced or were eyewitnesses to an event.
Documentary Editing. The scholarly practice of preparing documents for publication and verifying their accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Documentary Historian?

A Documentary Historian is a professional who researches and documents historical events and people, often through the use of archival materials, oral histories, and other forms of media.

What skills are needed to be a successful Documentary Historian?

To be a successful Documentary Historian, one must have strong research and analytical skills, knowledge of historical methods, an understanding of archival processes, excellent writing and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.

What type of education is required to become a Documentary Historian?

To become a Documentary Historian, one typically needs to hold at least a master's degree in history or a related field.

What type of job opportunities are available for Documentary Historians?

Documentary Historians can find employment in a variety of settings, including museums, archives, libraries, historical societies, universities, documentary film production companies, and other organizations.

How much do Documentary Historians typically earn?

The salary of a Documentary Historian will vary depending on the organization they are employed by and their level of experience. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for archivists, curators and museum workers in 2019 was $48,400.

Web Resources

History of Documentary Film - Center for Documentary Studies documentarystudies.duke.edu
History & Documentary Film Certificate - Shenandoah University ... www.su.edu
Documentary History and Theory (TFM 462) | Mark Freeman Films markfreemanfilms.sdsu.edu