A Practical Guide to Searching LGBTQIA Historical Records

This book provides a number of effective tools to aid in the recovery of LGBTQIA historic material by providing extensive glossary and non-glossary written descriptions, and how to use those terms and phrases in searching effectively online and offline.

Researching hidden and forbidden people from the past can be extremely difficult. Terminology used to write about LGBT+ people shifts over time, legal terminology enforces certain set terms which some writers use but others reject to avoid informing or disgusting a reading public. Often written descriptions contain no set terminology at all. How then can LGBT+ people be found in historic records? This book provides practical tools for a researcher wanting to uncover material from online or hard copy sources, including: keyword/s covering various sexual orientations and gender diversity, along with how and when to use them; tips for effective searching in online newspaper archives; how to use genealogy, auction and social media sites to uncover information; searching in online and physical libraries; advice on researching in physical archives and the types of collections which can yield results; and researching in museums collecting and displaying LGBT+ content.

Making use of a straightforward and jargon free style, this is a short and accessible guide to doing historical research on Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Queer and non-normative research subjects. This is a useful resource for students and scholars alike in Archive Studies History, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Norena Shopland has a Master’s degree in heritage studies. Originally from Cardiff, she has worked for the British Museum, National Museums Scotland and the Museum of London and other heritage organisations. Now specialising in LGBT+ studies, women’s and Welsh histories she is responsible for several ground-breaking projects. Norena conceived and secured a NHLF grant for Welsh Pride the first project in Wales to highlight the country’s LGBT+ people, allies and events; and managed Gender Fluidity, the first funded transgender project in Wales. Her book Forbidden Lives: LGBT stories from Wales is the first completely historical work on Welsh sexual orientation and gender identity. Norena lectures extensively and has appeared in the press, radio, and TV. She is currently working with the Big Pit museum on the first exhibition of women miners in Wales; with Swansea’s Waterfront Museum on an exhibition of Welsh button badges; and Race Council Cymru on their Windrush Cymru NHLF project. Her book The Curious Case of the Eisteddfod Baton celebrates Welsh choral singing and the mining of Welsh gold; The Veronal Mystery examines a real-life gay crime; and Women in Male Attire: their fight to wear trousers (Pen and Sword Books) is forthcoming June 2021.