1. Local History Research
Its importance to national history

2. Before there was national history
There was local history
National histories actually sprouted from contributions from local history
Local history should follow a common or a national pattern
3. Local history is history in the local context
The study of local history provides the foundation and the substance of true national history
It is more than the study of towns, provinces and regions of the Philippines and the people who live there
It provies us with the documentation and analysis of the broad processes which are important to the life of the people
Local history enriches our understanding of our national history
4. Local history along with oral history are basic to autonomy
Autonomy implies an exercise of freedom with limited control or influence from the national government
It provides more room for local initiatives to develop and for local potentials to progress
More importantly it encourages creative and innovative responses to development with people with special talents and potentials
5. History is defined as an organized record of a meaningful past
It is actually a reservoir of local data and memories of events, realties, and things that provide the essences of local life
From this inexhaustible reservoir people can draw patriotic strength in times of crisis, inspiration in moments of despair and directions in times of ambiguity and dilemma.
6. Local history provides the vital task of putting the meaningful essence of community in space and time
Here we can see community life in the context orf social perspective
The Philippines has a strong and varied source of local history because it has 16 regions, 78 provinces, 1,537 municipalities, 69 cities, 41,925 barangaysand over a hundred ethnolinguistic groups
7. Local and oral history are fundamental to national interests
By their very nature both help unite the nation as an example of unity in diversity
National history seeks to bring together all diverse groups
National interest by reason of national purpose and will should represent the various localities, sectors, and ethnic groups from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi, regardless of creed, origin, race and gender
8. Colonial historiography
This includes the Hispano-American historiographical tradition we have preserved in our national historiography
The difference of Hispanic historiography is that it is autocratic and prescriptive while the American is liberal and democratic
Filipino historiography incorporates both approaches to national history
9. Nationalist Historiography
Nationalist historiography aims to decolonize the old views which is the task of the Filipino historian
Local history is an important tool of decolonization
It must derive substance and sustenance from local history data before it can establish generalizations
In short national history without local history is shallow just as local history without national interest is parochial and divisive.
10. Framework
A framework is a theoretical and practical direction
It teaches the historian to guide the organization of data as well as the analysis although local histories are usually nondescript presentations from A to Z
While this type is useful it is necessary to develop and promote a coherent, cogent and methodologically-determined construction of historical construction and if possibly an artistically crafted proficiency of language and appropriateness of illustrations
11. Historical frameworks may vary from one local history to another
It begins with an assumption based on a broad survey of representative literature.
In the end all data should provide the basis for either supporting the tentative assumption or modifying and even altogether changing the framework.
This may result in months of gathering deata and analysis
Without this validation by a preponderance of sources framework becomes a speculative and imaginative creation of mind usually taken from personal biases and extraneous impositions
12. History without sources is unthinkable but not all historical works with sources are commendable
This brings to the question on what sources to use and how to use them for historical construction
13. Historical sources may be generally divided into
Written source such as reports, correspondences, speeches, memorials, petitions and any printed matter available
Oral historical sources gathered from interviews which represent the main focus of oral history as a methodology
Cultural sources which are preserved evidences of human culture including archaeological artifacts as far back in time as possible
14. By the very nature of the sources they are classified into:
Primary accounts such as eyewitness accounts
Secondary accounts which include accounts by individuals with some valid information from eyewitnesses
15. The organization and analysis of data
This require either familiarity of the historian with the inter or multi disciplinary methodologies or lacking in this, with access to disciplinary specialists concerned.
16. Methodology of Local History
Interest in local history can be traced to four factors
Firstly the perception of a Manila-centric research created a need to look beyond the metropolis.This type of research tends to point to a national and political history
National history reveals gaps and omissions which can only be revealed through local history research
17. The effect of the fall of a monolith such as the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 triggered interest in local history
Elements of monoliths such as state-censorship and state-sponsored writing of an official history and the suppression of counter thoughtsprevented the emergence of other views
With the end of monoliths historians can now have more freedom and exercise cultural creativity including historical research
18. Governments following the collapse of the monoliths actually encourage local research
The Philippine government actually encourages this through its agencies such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts which fund local history research
Events such as the centennial of the declaration of Philippine independence provided impetus.
Instead of reliving national events there are efforts to research the effect of national events in local situations
19. Even without assistance from Manila some local entities have started to assert themselves
These consist of individuals and organizationswhich have taken up the task of researching and writing local history in the firm belief that the stories of the people must be heard now as a way of preserving local heritage
Many of them have not gained academic or local recognition but they have kept historical research and writing alive
20. Local history actually has a long traditions in the country
These take form ikn souvenir programs by countless town fiestas and similar community celebrations
Other forms of local histories are features articles in local and national newspapers which contain stories about events in towns and cities
21. However to be important local history must have these qualities:
It must be an original work not a recycling or rehashed work that has been written countless of times.It should present new information or at least a new perspective, insight or interpretation
It must deal with a subject of historical value.Note everything which happened in the past is worth researching.History is an academic discipline in which we look back where we came from, how things changed and what particular path we have taken for what persons and why we are where we are now
22. Thirdly basic academic requirements must be met
A good research must have good grammar
Clarity of presentation or narrative
proper attrributes through a bibiliography with footnotes and end notes
Any historical work that does not cite its sources is not credible because it cannot be cross-verified.
23. The history of a region or a province can be best researched by the people of the locality themselves
It is a source of pride for the local historians to have people of their own culture write about their ethnic group, their hometown or home province.
Local historians will have the authority to express their own values and perceptions specific to his group or province.
The local historian will have easy access to local primary sources.
He will have the advantage of knowing the vernacular or the local language in using local sources especially oral histories.
Local historians serve as interpreters to the larger world and can conversely interpret the larger world to the local community
24. Prerequisites of local history research
The local historian needs to have some preparation before writing a historical account
He/she must have a good grasp of the national history of the Philippines.This does not mean the memorization of obscure or irrelevant trivia but a familiarity with the general developments and trends of national significance.Examples are the nature of colonialism, the process of nation-building, the building of anti-colonial sentiment and the impact of global trade on local economies
The understanding of national history enables the local historian to place in a larger context the local developments
To achieve this one may use as reference national history textbooks such as History of the Filipino People by T.A. Agoncillo, S.K. Tans A History of the Philippines and R. Constantinos The Philippines A Past Revisited as well as other textbooks like G.F. Zaide, E. Alip and A. Molina
25. A local historian must be familiar with the historical literature of his region
These helps you from duplicating earlier research
They help you find leads in your own research
These materials are useful in learning activities and make lectures and class presentations relevant
26. Previous works may provide a guide in writing
W.H. Scotts Cracks in the Parchment Curtain and Documentary Sources for the Study of the Prehistory of the Philippines- provide an excellent data as well as theoretical framework
Compilation of articles by Alfred McCoy and Ed de Jesus in Philippine Social History:Global Trade and Local Transformation, etc.
27. Sources of data:Primary and Secondary sources
Which is more important:facts or analysis?
The quick answer was analysis but one must remember there cannot be analysis with out facts
Historical sources can be obtained from primary and secondary sources
Primary sources are those written and oral are eyewitness or contemporaneoussources or observers in a particular historical era
Secondary sources are based on primary sources the latter carry greater weight on the accuracy of facts
28. Reliable sources of primary sources
The Philippine Islands by James Alexander Robertson and Emma Helen Blair which is a collection of documents and eyewitness accounts from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Friar accounts works by Ignacio Alcina, Pedro Chirino, Aduarte, Malumbres, Plascencia
Traveller accounts writings by John Foreman, Jean Mallat, Feodor Jagor,
Unpublished primary sources can be found in the UST archives, the archdiocesan archives of Manila and other ecclesiastical archives
29. One must be critical in using these sources
There might be racial prejudice and bias which tend to distort their observations and perceptions
30. For those who can read Spanish may consult
Erecciones de Pueblos for those studying the formation of towns
Sediciones y Rebelliones- for studying the Philippine Revolution
Filipinos Ilustres illustrious Filipinos
Asuntoscriminales crimes
Bautismos baptisms
Difunciones - deaths
Many othersources in the PNA
31. Other primary sources
These include maps, sketches, plans,
32. Selecting a research topic
Get a topic that interests you most; one that attracts your curiosity; one that is an original topic
The topic must have a definite scope and limitation
Determine your access to research resources
Be sure that you will finish your research on time; have a schedule or timetable.
Some topics are fairly common such as the history of a barangay, town or province.This type of research usually highlights the remarkable events in the locality such as the beginning or end of a period
33. Other topics maybe biographical
Such biographies should include previously unknown information
Another topic would be the story of a site or structure such as a churchor even a series of historical sites.
One may research a particular era such as the Philippine Revolution, Peacetime or the Japanese Occupation
One may do an economic history such as the history of the mining sector, the weaving industry
Another area is institutional history such as the history of an academic institution or a business company
34. Social movements
History of the Pulajanes, the Colorums and other messianic groups
Cultural history includes changes in the practices of the communties such as the Tingguianes and the Apayaos.
Womens histories now increasingly popular
Local primary sources are now available for all these topics.
It is up for the researcher to use his creativity and insight in unearthing and retrieving data from local sources
35. Practical Guidelines for data-gathering
Use note cards or note paper because papers of a uniform size are easier to carry, store and organize.
Take notes carefully especially of direct quotes, to ensure accuracy
Do not mix two or more topics in one note card.Ifyou come across a new topic start with a new note card to avoid confusion later.
Do not alter data that you encounter just because it runs against what you believe is the correct information or your projected conclusion.
36. Always indicate the source of information, such as the title and date of a document, or the bibliographic data for the printed materials such as books, pamphlets and magazines.
Organize your data into primary and secondary sources or according to major topics or chronologically.
Take proper care of primary materials such as old photographs, manuscripts, or maps.Such materials are extremely rare and are one-of-a kind and need special handling.
There maybe other practical steps which you have found useful and which work is best for you.
37. Making an outline
Before you begin to write it would be helpful to prepare an outline to serve as your guide in organizing your data and your narrative.The outline may contain the following:
Introduction this is a short essay on what your topic is all about, its scope and time frame and possibly what made you choose the topic for your research
Chronology this is optional but useful especially for complex narratives and would help you identify possible conflicting dates of the events that occurred.
38. Text this is the main bulk of your written account.This must be organized and coherent.An outline for this section is necessary.
Analysis this is your explanation and interpretation of the data that you have provided and this explains your analytical framework or theory that you employed.
Conclusions and recommendations these are based on the text and analysis and a summation of your findings.
39. Appendix and glossary these are materials which could not be incorporated into the text but would add to the clarity and depth of your research.
Endnotes/footnotes these are required in academic research but may not be always applicable
Bibliography this is the listing of sources including books that were used which could be classified as primary or secondary, published or unpublished, oral or written
40. Writing a Historical Account: Perspectives and Concepts
Language first decide on what language to use.You may choose to write in the vernacular but if you decide to have a wider audience English would be the best language.Writing in English does not mean a lack of nationalism but is simply a matter of getting your message heard across a wide spectrum of society.
Writing down history is not simply putting down facts on paper but it should be done through a proper framework or context.
Contemporary historians utilize a nationalist perspective.This is not anti-foreign but it reflects our nationalist consciousness and sentiment.
41. What this means is we think and write about our history in a way that is not seen as filtered through the mentality and perspective of foreign historians
Rather we should see ourselves in the following light:
That we are leading actors in the historical events rather than merely acting to the colonizers
As being in the center of our localities instead of just accepting being relegated to the peripheries of power and culture
As people who can also determine their destiny instead of just being driven willy-nilly by great external historical forces
As creators and originators of our own ethnic identity which is unique and original rather an molding ourselves in imitation of the dominant powers culture
42. Philippine history as taught today is the most colonially-driven disciplines which need reinterpretation
Many terms are derogatory such as infieles, piratas, insurrectos, brujaswhcih were uncritically accepted
Tausug, Tagalog, Pampangos were seen as dialects or tribes but should be recognized as languages and ethnolinguistic groups instead
43. Shortcomings of local history writing
There maybe difficulty in relating cause and efffect.The historian should take to account various local and external forces
There maybe rigid conformity to periodization which conforms to national history i.e. Pre-Spanish, Spanish and American periods.
Indiscriminate presentation of facts in the belief that all data gathered must not go to waste.
There is too much emphasis on local celebrities and personalities who may appear important but they are not i.e. Longest-serving mayor or councillor.
Tendency of local historians to slant their narrative in favor of powerful families or portray a national personality in the hope of achieving reflected glory or gaining patronage and reward from that family.
In many instances local historians allow their personal biases to distort their work by hiding certain unfavorable facts, misrepresenting events and passing off false information as true which result in the work becoming a propaganda instead of an accurate rendering of the past
44. Ethical issues
Never plagiarize always acknowledge and provide citation of your sources.Always cite in quotation marks every statement and phrase you lifted verbatim from a source.
Do not pass off somebody elses work as your own because this will be eventually found out.Plagiarism is an intellectual theft which discredits the author and a plagiarized work has no value to the scholars
45. Do not make students and/or subordinates do your research work
Nor should you use their output/data without your permissionand without giving them due credit.
Doing so constitutes an abuse of ones position.
46. Respect the wishes of your sources
When they ask that the information they gave you is off the record.Publishing and revealing something that an informant wanted to keep confidential will cause harm to other people.
47. Always tell your informant that you are using their information in a written account
Tell them about your purpose
If you are going to use the information for some other purpose you should also tell them.
48. Finally do not conduct your research under false pretenses
Just as you do not want to be fooled, so you should not fool others in dealing with them.
Always tell the informants or sources that you are going to use their material
49. Conclusions
All these points are meant to be guidelines and the historian should know what works what and what weill not only go through the processes of research and writing
All of us need to realize the urgency of the work of local historians
With the beginning of a new millennium it is imperative that we should do the utmost effort in retrieving oral and documentary sources and data before they finally disappear
If not us, then who?
50. Oral history is a historical source of a special nature
Its special nature lies in the fact that it is an unwritten source of information which consists of verbal testimonies which are reported statements involving the past
51. The Methodology and Practice of Oral History
ItsImportance to Modern Historiography
52. What are the types of verbal testimonies?
Oral tradition this comes from a collective consciousness of a people
These come in the form of epics, tales, genealogies and legends
Though not suited for historical analysis oral tradition can be used as traditional material
53. Eyewitness account
Eyewitness accounts are given by people who are actually in the place of a historical event or were actually its participants.
Eyewitness accounts do not fallinto the realm of oral tradition
hearsaydoes not qualify as eyewitness account because the event was not witnessed by the narrator and remembered by the informant himself
54. What about rumor?
A rumor is a verbal account which does not always concern the present.
It is transmitted from one person to another
It becomes useful as a historical source if it is corroborated by other sources, otherwise it should be dismissed as an uncorroborated hearsay.
55. Oral history is not a discipline of history
It is only a methodology of history in which first-hand historical events are recounted by the eyewitness through the intervention of a historian
56. The main technique of oral history is the interview
This technique goes as far back as ancient time including that of Homer and Herodotus who used the technique in their practice of historical discourse.
However the popular use of oral history as a methodology is relatively new even among professional historians.
Filipino historians like T.A. Agoncillo and Isabelo de los Reyes used oral history in obtaining historical information
57. Recently historical bodies have engaged in oral history
The best example was created by Dr. MarcelinoForonda of De la Salle University who organized students to conduct interviews of important personalities starting from the 70s.
Where written documents are lacking oral history maybe used as long as this is corroborated by other sources
58. Being a talking peopleFilipinos are full of oral histories
Oral historyalso gives the power to the marginalized people who have no access to writing or could not write or those who have no time to write history, their views of the past
59. The practice of oral history
Definition of terms:
An eyewitness account is the sum of the testimonies made by an informant concerning a single series of events or a single event
The informant- is a person or group of person who gives an account of a referent or that of which the account is given the thing observed.
The informant is the one who transmits the information and he plays an important role in the process of oral history.
60. Things to see:
The credibility and the reliability of the informant one important task of the researcher is to determine the reliability of the eyewitness account.
Oral history helps fill the gaps in written history.
One should not use it as a justification to use uncorroborated accounts
61. How reliable is the informant?
How involved was he in the event?
Is he capable of lying or fond of telling untrue things?
Is he suffering from memory lapses?
Will he have ulterior motives or capable of having ulterior motives?
Is he fearful of legal complications?
Care must be taken in evaluating the materials being used.
62. Louis Gottchalk in understanding history says:
Is the source able to tell the truth?
Is the primary witness willing to tell the truth?
Is the primary witness accurately reported with regard to the detail under examination?
Is there any independent corroboration of the detail under examination?
63. William Moss in Oral History Program Manual says:
If the interviewee is committed to the purpose of the interview, if he is also by nature a candid and reflective person, and if he is also articulate and expansive in the exposition of his memories then the artifacts maybe plentiful and significant
64. Get to know the environment
The researcher must know the language and culture
If the interviewer is not adept in these elements then the information obtained by him maybe unintelligible.
The interviewer must make a careful study of the cultural system of the interviewee otherwise he would not be able to obtain the information he truly needed.
65. The search for informants
Not everyone is capable of supplying the information he needed
The informants must have the following:
Conversant with the information required
Their status must equip them with the certain necessary information
Their reputation is not tainted by dishonesty
66. Collection of sources
The collection must be systematic
He must be interesting in finding as much information as much as possible.
Complete collection of information would increase the chance of an accurate reconstruction
In research one must devise what is the practicable way of obtaining information given the time and financial means
67. Recording of sources
The researcher must dispel the tension between himselfand the informant
Failure to do this results in an incomplete testimony
Make sure that the informant is at ease.
The researcher should acquaint himself with the informant either with him or through a third party
Make sure that he is not afraid or overconfident
The researcher must be observant that the informant does not distort his information or make the informant say things that he wanted to hear
The informant must not know that the researcher is interested in his information otherwise the risk of distortion becomes great
68. The Interview Technique: According to Willa Baums in Oral History for Local Historical Society Tips
Always begin with preliminaries
Ask the informant his name, age, occupation especially if it has something to do with the topic
69. Types of Interviews
Interviews can be structured or unstructured
Structured interviews require preparing a set of questions to be answered by the informant
Therefore it is best to prepare questions on notecards
Unstructured interviews are more freewheeling interviews in which the informant can talk freely and free from time constraints
70. The interview is NOT a dialogue
the whole purpose is to get the informant to tell his or her story.The interviewer must therefore limit his remarks to a few pleasantries to break the ice.Then ask questions to guide him along
71. The interviewer must ask questions that require more than yes or no answers
Start with questions with how, where, what, or what kind
72. The interviewer should ask one question at a time
Interviewers who ask multiple questionswhile informants will only answer the first question or the last one
Multiple questions will confuse the inf0rmant and deliver confused answers
73. Ask brief questions
It is unlikely that the informant is so dull that it takes more than a sentence or two for him to understand the question
74. Begin with non-controversial questions
Save the delicate questions if there are any until you have become sufficiently acquainted with your informant
Avoid ambiguous questions.These results in vague answers
You may repeat the questions to verify the answers.
75. Do not interrupt a good story
Especially when you forgot a good question or because your informant is straying from the planned outline.
If this happens try to pull him back as gently and as quickly as possible.
76. It is often hard for an informant to describe persons
Begin by asking him how to describe a persons appearance.From there the informant is more likely to move into character description
77. Try to establish every important point in the story on the role of the informant
It is important to indicate his role in the event in order to indicate how much is eyewitness information and how much is based on the reports of others
78. Do not challenge accounts which you may think that is inaccurate
Your informant may be telling you quite accurately what he saw rather than what you think.
Tactfully point out to the informant that there is a different account what he is describing.
Begin with I have read...
This is not a challenge to his account but rather an opportunity to refute the opposing view or to explain how that view got established.
If done carefully some of your best information can come from the juxtaposition of different accounts.
79. Do not switch the recorder one and off
It is better to waste a little more tape on irrelevant material than to call attention to the tape recorder by constant switching on and off.
Bring as more tape as possible
Also bring enough batteries
80. End the interview at a reasonable time
An hour and a half is probably a reasonable time for a single session.
Informants cannot speak forever
81. Do not be a show-off
Do not try to flaunt your knowledge about the subject matter.It turns off the informant or makes him hostile.
Nor try to impress him with charm, vocabulary or other abilities.
Good interviewers do not shine only their interviewees do.
82. Be observant
Take note of the non-verbal acts such as gestures and body language.These may add message
Observe the tone of voice of the informant.You may detect sarcasm, outright admiration and other emotions which may be useful in the gathering of information
Some verbal taboos such as cuss words could also serve as signals
83. Post Interview
The interview can be written down or put on tape.
The advantage of putting the interview on tape is that it gives the exact wording of the testimony and allows the informant to speak at the speed and rythm that is natural to him.
Post interview recording requires the reading back on the tape to put in writing what has been recorded
Although it takes time it is preferable to record on tape when the words themselves become part of the testimony
84. Create a transcript of the interview
This should be done as soon as the interview is completed.
The interviewer may go back to the informant to clarify vague matters and ask for follow-ups
Upon finalizing the interview ask the informant if he is willing to sign his testimony this strengthens the interview
85. Questionnaire
It is important to make a note of all the necessary information
Have a questionnaire ready to include a bio-data of the informant, the language used, the manner of the giving of testimony and controls exercised in getting the testimony
A note must be given on the characteristics of the matter such as payment given to the informant as to give some information on what the informant will have for testifying.
There is no one type of questionnaire and the researcher has to devise his own
86. Prepared questionnaires
These contain questions to be answered by the informant by writing the testimony himself
Should be brief, concise and to the point
As in the interview the researcher should ask for the informants background
87. Conclusion
Oral history is very important in gathering eyewitness information
It is important in social history and it reveals aspects of working class life and other experiences
Oral history empowers the inarticulate in history and it gives us what preliterate societies think.
However oral evidence requires critical evaluation and must be deployed in conjuction with the canons of historical method.
Transcriptions of oral history are not history themselves but raw materials for writing history.It needs corroboration and cross-referencing.