Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
The historic environment - 2 Knowledge, selection and use of sources for…
Full specification wording
Option 13: The historic environment - 2 Knowledge, selection and use of sources for historical enquiries: Knowledge of local sources relevant to the period and issue, e.g. local newspapers, publications written for the Caribbean community, local council and police records, housing and employment records, oral and written memoirs of local residents, photographs.
Historical enquiries into Notting Hill rely heavily on local sources to reveal the lived experiences of its residents.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 5
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Historical enquiries into Notting Hill rely heavily on local sources to reveal the lived experiences of its residents. Local newspapers and publications specifically for the Caribbean community (like the West Indian Gazette) provide insight into community concerns and cultural life. Local council and police records offer official perspectives on housing conditions, crime, and community relations. Housing and employment records detail the economic struggles and discrimination faced by migrants. Furthermore, oral and written memoirs, alongside local photographs, capture the personal, everyday realities of the period, offering a vital counter-narrative to official documents and highlighting the human impact of poverty and racism.
What earns the marks
- Identify different types of local sources, such as community publications, council records, and memoirs.
- Explain how local newspapers and Caribbean community publications reflect specific local issues and cultural identity.
- Assess the value of official records (police, council, housing, employment) for understanding systemic issues.
- Evaluate the usefulness of personal sources (memoirs, oral histories, photographs) in capturing the lived experience of residents.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating all local newspapers as having the same perspective.
Put it right: Distinguish between mainstream local press and publications written specifically for the Caribbean community.
Dismissing oral memoirs as unreliable.
Put it right: Recognise that while subjective, memoirs provide invaluable insight into personal experiences and emotions not found in official records.
Ignoring the purpose of official records.
Put it right: Consider why council or police records were created and how this affects their utility for an enquiry.
Exam tips
- Always link the type of local source to the specific historical enquiry you are addressing.
- Use the West Indian Gazette as a specific example of a publication written for the Caribbean community.
- When evaluating photographs, consider what is outside the frame and the photographer's potential motive.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option 13: The historic environment - 2 Knowledge, selection and use of sources for historical enquiries: Knowledge of local sources relevant to the period and issue, e.g. local newspapers, publications written for the Caribbean community, local council and police records, housing and employment records, oral and written memoirs of local residents, photographs. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following is an example of a local source that would be most useful for investigating the daily experiences of the Caribbean community in Notting Hill?
Listen
Historical enquiries into Notting Hill rely heavily on local sources to reveal the lived experiences of its residents. Local newspapers and publications specifically for the Caribbean community (like the West Indian Gazette) provide insight into community concerns and cultural life. Local council and police records offer official perspectives on housing conditions, crime, and community relations. Housing and employment records detail the economic struggles and discrimination faced by migrants. Furthermore, oral and written memoirs, alongside local photographs, capture the personal, everyday realities of the period, offering a vital counter-narrative to official documents and highlighting the human impact of poverty and racism. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify different types of local sources, such as community publications, council records, and memoirs. Explain how local newspapers and Caribbean community publications reflect specific local issues and cultural identity. Assess the value of official records (police, council, housing, employment) for understanding systemic issues. Evaluate the usefulness of personal sources (memoirs, oral histories, photographs) in capturing the lived experience of residents. A common slip: Treating all local newspapers as having the same perspective. Instead, distinguish between mainstream local press and publications written specifically for the Caribbean community. Exam tip: Always link the type of local source to the specific historical enquiry you are addressing.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Official vs personal narratives
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Historical evidence
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Official vs personal narratives
- Memoirs and photographs capture personal, everyday realities, offering a vital counter-narrative to official documents.
- Historical evidence
- Local sources, such as newspapers, council and police records, housing and employment records, memoirs and photographs, are used for historical enquiries.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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