MONTANA - A Student's Guide to Localized History - Introduction - FIND THE FACTS

Oct 13, 2026

A Student's Guide to Localized History uses the model of an armchair detective to show how to investigate a community by asking what happened, when it happened, why it happened, and who made it happen. It explains that there is no ready-made textbook method and encourages independent, organized research through libraries and historical societies. The guide demonstrates how to use library card catalogs, subject headings, and call numbers to locate relevant books, county histories, local booklets, and anniversary publications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

FIND THE FACTS

MONTANA A Student's Guideto Localized HistoryMARGERY H.BROWN/VIRGINIA G.GRIFFING Localized History SeriesClifford L.Lord,Editor Teaching History with Community Resources Clifford L.Lord(Second Edition)Series EditorSTUDENT's GUIDES Alabama*Charles G.SummersellTO LOCALIZEDAlaska*Bruce Le RoyHISTORY:ArizonaMadeline F.PareSTATES:CaliforniaAndrew RolleColoradoCarl UbbelohdeConnecticut*Theodore PowellDelawareJohn A.MonroeFlorida*Samuel ProctorGeorgiaJames C.BonnerHawaiiGerrit P.JuddIdahoMerle W.WellsIlinoisOlive S.FosterKansasNyle H.MillerKentuckyThomas D.ClarkLouisianaJoe Gray TaylorMarylandHarold R.ManakeeMassachusettsWilliam J.ReidMinnesotaRussell W.FridleyMississippiJohn H.&Margaret D.MooreMissouri*Duane MeyerMontanaMargery H.Brown&Virginia G.GrifingNebraska*Donald F.DankerNew HampshireJames Duane SquiresNew JerseyRichard P.McCormickNew MexicoJames T.ForrestNew YorkMarvin RappNorth CarolinaWilliam S.PowellOhioFrancis P.WeisenburgerOklahomaA.M.GibsonOregon*Thomas VaughanPennsylvaniaS.K.StevensRhode IslandClifford P.MonahonSouth DakotaHerbert S.SchellTennesseeWilliam T.AldersonTexas*Francis J.NesmithUtahEverett L.CooleyVermont*Graham S.NewellWashington*Bruce Le RoyWisconsinDoris H.PlattWyomingLolaM.Homsher *Titles in Preparation Localized History Series CITIES:Boston *Walter Muir WhitehillChicago*Clement M.SilvestroCincinnatiLouis L.TuckerDenver*John D.MitchellHoustonJoe Frantz &David McCombLos AngelesAndrew RolleMiami*Frank SessaMilwaukee*Charles N.GlaabNew York CityBayrd StillRaleigh-Durham-Chapel HillWilliam S.PowellSan Francisco*Moses &Ruth S.RischinWATERSHEDS: The Arkansas*Edwin C.McReynoldsThe Canadian River ValleyArrell M.GibsonThe Cimarron ValleyHomer E.SocolofskyThe Delaware*S.K.StevensThe James*Marvin SchlegelThe Kansas*Nyle H.MillerThe Kentucky*Thomas D.ClarkThe Missouri ValleyMerrill J.MattesThe OhioR.E.BantaThe Platte*James C.OlsonThe Potomac ValleyWalter S.SanderlinThe Sacramento ValleyJoseph A.McGowanThe San Joaquin*Andrew RolleThe Snake*Merle W.WellsThe Susquehanna*S.K.StevensThe Tennessee*William T.AldersonThe Upper Mississippi ValleyWalter HavighurstThe Wisconsin ValleyAugust Derleth The FinnsThe GermansThe GreeksThe IrishThe Italians*The MexicansThe NorwegiansThe Puerto Ricans*The Swedes* PEOPLES: John KolehmainenCarl WittkeTheodore SalutosCarl WittkeRudolph VecoliCarey McWilliamsEinar HaugenJoseph MonserattFranklin Scott *Titles in Preparation MARGERY H.BROWN andVIRGINIA G.GRIFFING Research AssociatesDepartment of HistoryUniversity of Montana # MONTANA A Student's Guideto Localized History Teachers College Press Teachers College Columbia UniversityNew York,New York Montana,A Student's Guide to Localized History◎ 1971 by Teachers College,Columbia University Cover design by Gaspar Vilato Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:77-118832 Manufactured in the United States of America # Introduction Do you enjoy a good mystery story?Do you like to follow clues to see wherethey lead?Do you get a kick out of being a successful armchair detective? If you do,localized history is for you—the story of your own com-munity,what happened,why it happened,and the all-important who madeit happen.There is no good textbook,no pat and easy way to find out—youhave to do it yourself.And doing it yourself,you find out a great deal notjust about your community but about American history,about the greatdrama of our country's transformation from a transcontinental wildernessinto the world's most powerful nation;from a primitive subsistence economyinto one producing the world's highest standard of living;from a colonialmonarchy(part French,part English,part Spanish)into a democracywhere every individual,through the ballot,and freedom of speech,assembly,and petition,has the right to a voice in his government;from a rather rigidsociety structured on European models into a highly fluid society in whicha man can in general rise according to his ability.You discern this easilyand dramatically becau

FAQs

What makes localized history a different kind of study approach?

It is treated like solving a mystery about your own community, requiring you to follow clues and investigate events directly rather than relying on a pat textbook method.

How can a student begin researching localized history?

Start by reading what is available on the subject, then go to the school library, public library, or historical society library and use the card catalog to search under relevant subjects.

Which kinds of sources does the guide suggest searching for in libraries?

Look for books related to your topic and community, county histories, local history materials, and booklets from churches, factories, clubs, and major-anniversary publications.

Oct 13, 2026

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