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Studying and Writing History

I have spent the last several years studying history in a broader sense than Clan MacTavish.  I've been fortunate enough to have four different mentors in this area - men who carry PhDs, are college instructors, and published authors.  I've learned a lot from them and have, consequently, become a publishing historian in several areas - enjoying the work tremendously.

Regardless of what history you write, you "will be" challenged.  Count on it.  Writing history brings on opinions and debate, which is actually a very healthy thing.

We often forget, but should keep in mind that the author writing on history that took place before their birth may not be an eye witness - therefore, the information is received through research:  other publications written by other authors, documentation in archives, information received verbally.  Today, we are more fortunate in some of the media we have available.  However, history written on the past (100 years or more before the writer's birth) is the writer's conclusion, summary, opinion of what that history is. Sort of an unending circle - except for original documentation, the writer's work becomes their opinion on the opinions of opinions that were written before.

One of the problems in the world of the Internet is that people believe (as they do so many times with the news media) that if it's in print, it must be true. Not so. Regardles of who the writer is - not so. Check out the publications - check out the sources they refer to. Do not assume. Make an informed decision. You will find as time goes on that you will identify which authors are the most reliable in their writings (although all humans are given to error at times).

In some cases, as with the MacTavish, we are compiling information that has never been compiled before.  Bits and pieces published and recorded, but no complete history.  So - we are automatically set up for a challenge.  That's OK.  Others have the right to their own opinions, we have ours.  They can agree or they can differ. 

I recommend reading the Clan's current history at:
History of Clan MacTavish presented by the Clan Sennachie (Patrick Thompson)

I've lately read some of Laurence Gardiner writings (Bloodline of the Holy Grail, and Genesis of the Grail Kings).  I won't take into issue one way or another my opinions of his writing - that is a debate for another time and place. However, his thoughts about "history" are very good and agree with the professors I've been working with. If you are going to study or write history, it's good to think about and understand the concept of what you are working with. I use Mr. Gardiner's examples (in conjunction with my own) below.

What is history?

The continuous methodical record of important events - not the events themselves - document records of the events. Without out the documentation, the events are lost.

Details of history vary according to . . . .

• The attitudes of the writers concerned........
  • Are they writing with sources stated?
  • Do they state something is their opinion?
  • What types of archives do they search?
  • What types of archives and records are available to the author?
  • Have they included quoted material when appropriate?
  • Have they included images when appropriate/possible?
  • Are they aware that historical writing will bring on challenges and stimulate debate, which is a healthy use of the mind?
  • Are they aware that historical "facts" must be put in writing or some form of technology in order to preserve them for future generations?
  • Are they aware that if an honest error is made, another historian will correct it in the future?  If the history is uncrecorded, we can't correct what we don't know about.  And - unrecorded history means that an entire civilization or family may be lost forever.
• Commissions to the writers concerned . . . .
  • Who is the author writing for?  Himself?  An organization?  A religious entity?  A government agency?  His/her employer?  This can make a difference.  If commissioned to write for a specific entity, the efforts will be directed toward positive gain for that entity.
    • Example: Chief Justice Roberts when writing for the Republican Party.
• Objectives of the writers concerned . . . . .
• Writing for educational purposes?  Writing for a paper? Writing for a cause they believe in? And, so on......

History is perceived differently by opposing sides. 

Example:  war and religious disputes.  How many works have been published, re-published, and challenged by different publications relative to the Civil War, World War II, Vietnam, Jesus, the Bible, evolution of a species, etc.?

It is up to the reader to keep an open mind, read and absorb and make an informed decision.  A decision which may or may not change as additional information is found.

Formal overall history that one learns is that which has been approved by one's governing establishment.  It is authorized, countenanced, sanctioned and academically tempered by partisan interpretation and subjective opinion.

Example:  US history taught in public schools.  Or - English history taught in Scottish schools.

When documentary record is related to matters of science, then it is automatically constrained by ongoing research, and it can only communicate the facts as they are known at the time of writing. (An extremely important point.)

Example:  When dinosar bones were unearthed in China over 2000 years, they were thought to be the bones of a "dragon" because they had no knowledge that dinosaurs ever existed.  In fact, everything that we know today about dinosaurs and their environment has been learned since the 1820s.

The point:  When we research published or recorded resources - what information is available at that point in time to the specific writer? 

If we look at it in this manner, it takes us into a much more objective stance that allows us to read, absorb and draw legitimate conclusions.  Keeps people away from accusation, ridicule, and personal remarks and assumptions.

Sometimes, for want of any comparative record, certain documented information is taken on board as history until a related and perhaps contradictory discovery sheds new light on the subject.

This includes thousands of historical writings and documentation. Ancient civilizations are an example. Also - a lot of Scottish history falls into this area.

History is made by people.  It belongs to all of us and it does not stop.  Unless you are a chroniciler or compiler and simply recording history (such as the Annals of Ulster, the Annals of the Four Master, the Chronicles of Mann - and even those are challenged as to the recorder's objective and commission, etc.), your history writing is a conclusion/summary and open to challenge.  That is good.  That is mentally stimulating and healthy.

Is it bad form to write for profit? Absolutely not. Time, effort and money is spent in publishing and, in most cases, the acquired money is needed to reimburse the money spent and for future publications.

Are you dishonest if you write the history in your opinion? Absolutely not. Do your research to the best of your ability. State your sources. Quote your sources. Give credit where credit it due. State you opinion. (Do not allow your opinion to slander and defame another author - keep your integrity). Welcome challenges. Review the challenges, confirm or change your former writing; and if the challenge is not legitimate, discard that challenge.

Those that come across in an attempt to humiliate and slander the writer show their ignorance.  In many cases they are there for personal gain (monetary, perceived power and acknowledgement, retribution against what they have perceived as an insult, numerous reasons that to them seem logical).  The intelligent and interested reader and historian will get tired of that type of communication and will return to the works of the author who is legitimately attempting to produce historical writings that can be shared with all.

Final thought: Keep an open mind.  Welcome the challenges.  Go back over your conclusions and reaffirm your opinions or make your changes. Feel proud of the effort you have made to make sure that history is not forgotten in the years to come - an effort that is not made by all, but was made by you!

For Supporting Clan MacTavish members, you might want to check out the links in the navigation area at the top of this page.

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©Patricia Adams and Clan MacTavish
March 1, 2006
Items may not be copied to other web sites or for personal gain without the written consent of
Patricia Adams and Steven MacTavish of Dunardry, Chief of Clan MacTavish

Page created: 10 March 2006
Page updated: 28-Nov-2006

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