{"id":73,"date":"2026-01-20T11:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T01:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/?page_id=73"},"modified":"2026-02-02T15:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T05:49:08","slug":"research-tips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/tips\/research-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research Tips<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Whether you\u2019re tracing a family line, documenting a property, or preserving a story from regional, rural and remote (RRR) Australia, good research comes down to starting simple, staying organised, and verifying what you find.<\/p>\n

Below are practical, TOCAH-style tips to help you build a record that\u2019s accurate, respectful, and useful for future generations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

1. Start with what you already have<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before you dive into archives and databases, \u201cmine\u201d your own home and family network:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Write down what you know<\/span><\/strong> (names, nicknames, dates, places, occupations, schools, churches, stations\/farms, towns).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Collect and scan the basics<\/span><\/strong>: birth\/marriage\/death certificates, funeral cards, letters, diaries, photos, awards, newspaper clippings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Ask relatives early<\/span><\/strong> (especially older family members). Memories and context are precious, and time-sensitive.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Quick win:<\/span><\/strong> Create a simple timeline (year-by-year) and plug in every confirmed fact you have.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    2. Research in layers (don\u2019t jump straight to \u201cdeep\u201d)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    A clean workflow saves hours:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Confirm identities<\/span><\/strong> (full names, maiden names, middle names, spelling variations).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Confirm places<\/span><\/strong> (town, district, property name, station name, shire).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      Confirm dates<\/span><\/strong> (even approximate ranges help).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. Then expand<\/span><\/strong> into newspapers, schools, organisations, land records, cemeteries, and local histories.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      3. Use smart search strategies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      A few \u201cpro\u201d moves that work everywhere:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Try <\/span>spelling variations<\/span><\/strong> (e.g., Mc \/ Mac, shortened first names, initials).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Search using <\/span>context terms<\/span><\/strong>: occupation, town, school, regiment\/unit, property name, church.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Use <\/span>date ranges<\/span><\/strong> rather than a single year.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        If you find one strong record, look for <\/span>connected records<\/span><\/strong> (siblings, neighbours, witnesses, employers).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Tip:<\/span><\/strong> People moved, but patterns repeat \u2014 school \u2192 early work \u2192 marriage \u2192 land\/property \u2192 community groups \u2192 obituary.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

        4. Validate before you believe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Treat every record like a clue until it\u2019s confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Aim to confirm key facts with <\/span>at least two independent sources<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Be cautious with user-submitted trees and unsourced claims.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          If two records conflict, keep both, note the conflict, and keep searching.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Rule of thumb:<\/span><\/strong> The \u201cbest\u201d source is often the one created <\/span>closest in time to the event<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          5. Capture the story, not just the stats<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          Dates and names matter \u2014 but TOCAH research is also about <\/span>lived experience<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Record <\/span>occupations<\/span><\/strong>, community roles, and \u201cday-to-day\u201d life (schools, work, travel, droughts\/floods, local events).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Add context: <\/span>What was happening in the district at the time?<\/span><\/em> (industry, transport, wars, local institutions).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • Save small details \u2014 they bring history to life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

            6. Oral history: how to get gold-quality interviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            If you\u2019re recording an interview (audio\/video or written):<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              Prepare <\/span>10\u201315 open questions<\/span><\/strong> (e.g., \u201cTell me about\u2026\u201d, \u201cWhat was it like when\u2026?\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Start broad, then go specific: childhood \u2192 school \u2192 work \u2192 community \u2192 family \u2192 major events.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Use <\/span>gentle prompts<\/span><\/strong>: \u201cWhat do you remember seeing\/smelling\/hearing?\u201d (instant memory unlock).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Ask permission before recording, and confirm what can be published\/shared.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Best practice:<\/span><\/strong> Save the interview file + a written summary + key timestamps\/chapters.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              7. Track sources like a pro (future-you will thank you)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              Every time you save a fact, write down:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                What it is<\/span><\/strong> (e.g., \u201cObituary for Francis Gibson Fraser\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Where it came from<\/span><\/strong> (publication\/collection\/site\/organisation)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                When you accessed it<\/span><\/strong> (date)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Any reference ID<\/span><\/strong> (URL, catalogue number, page number)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Simple system:<\/span><\/strong> A spreadsheet with columns for <\/span>Name, Event, Date, Place, Source, Notes, Link\/Ref<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                8. Handle photos, artefacts and documents safely<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • \n

                  Store originals in <\/span>acid-free sleeves\/boxes<\/span><\/strong>, away from heat, moisture and sunlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Scan important items at high quality (photos: <\/span>600 dpi<\/span><\/strong>, documents: <\/span>300 dpi<\/span><\/strong>).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Name files clearly: <\/span>Surname_Firstname_Year_Town_ItemType.jpg<\/span><\/code><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • Add a text note: <\/span>who is in it, where it is, and why it matters.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                  9. Privacy, permissions and respectful research<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                  Some stories and records are sensitive. Please research and share with care:<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    Get consent where possible for living people and private stories.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    Be respectful when writing about illness, trauma, family conflict or criminal matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    Follow cultural warnings and guidance where relevant, especially regarding <\/span>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander<\/span><\/strong> content and the names\/images of deceased people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    When in doubt: <\/span>pause, ask, and document your decision-making.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                    10. Stuck? Use the TOCAH method<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                    If you hit a wall:<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • \n

                      Go back to the timeline: what\u2019s the <\/span>missing link<\/span><\/strong>?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    • \n

                      Search sideways: siblings, spouses, neighbours, schools, workplaces.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    • \n

                      Zoom out to district history and local newspapers to rebuild context.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    • Reach out to the TOCAH Committee \u2014 we can often point you to the next best step.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

                      Want to contribute to TOCAH?<\/span><\/h3>\n

                      If you have a story to record, an interview to share, or family materials you\u2019d like preserved for posterity, we\u2019d love to hear from you. Use the contact form below to reach the TOCAH Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                      <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Research Tips Whether you\u2019re tracing a family line, documenting a property, or preserving a story from regional, rural and remote (RRR) Australia, good research comes down to starting simple, staying organised, and verifying what you find. Below are practical, TOCAH-style tips to help you build a record that\u2019s accurate, respectful, and useful for future generations....","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":275,"parent":65,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-73","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytestsite.com.au\/tocah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}