The Declaration of Independence
Historical documents can be compared to today's documents and produce more accurate results. Historical documents can make research easier, and kick-start observations for sociologists. Historical documents can contain references to further enhance research.
Documents that were written in the past
Historical documents are documents that contain important information about a person, place, or event. Most famous historical documents are either laws, accounts of battles (often given by the victors or persons sharing their viewpoint), or the exploits of the powerful.
Documents that were written in the past
Documents that were written in the past
Primary source documents are documents that are created during the historical period and are written about the historical period. They are often based on observation.
There is an perhaps unjustified assumption that the gospels are in fact reliable historical documents. Most people believe that they were written by eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus, or at least (for example, Luke) people who had met and learnt from eyewitnesses. However, the clear majority of modern scholars no longer support that view.Belief that the gospels are reliable historical documents must remain a matter of faith, and can not be proven.
A historical claim is a statement about events, people, or societies from the past that can be validated or challenged through evidence. For example, the claim that "the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 marked the beginning of the United States as an independent nation" asserts a specific historical event and its significance. This claim can be supported by historical documents, records, and analyses from that time.
A person who studies historical documents is called a historian or a historical researcher. In a more specific context, they may be referred to as an archivist if they focus on preserving and organizing historical records.
Archives
Secondary sources