Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

• Director, Research
• Director, State-Historical Society
• Genealogist
• Historian
• Historian, Dramatic Arts

• Advise or consult with individuals and institutions regarding issues such as the historical authenticity of materials or the customs of a specific historical period.
• Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
• Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
• Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
• Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing materials.
• Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
• Edit historical society publications.
• Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as collect data sources such as books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
• Interview people in order to gather information about historical events, and to record oral histories.
• Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
• Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as use in CD-ROMs or Internet sites.
• Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others in order to ensure their historical accuracy.
• Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
• Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.
• Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
• Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
• Speak to various groups, organizations, and clubs in order to promote the aims and activities of historical societies.
• Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools.
• Trace historical development in a particular field, such as social, cultural, political, or diplomatic history.
• Translate or request translation of reference materials.

• advise clients or customers
• advise governmental or industrial personnel
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze social or economic data
• analyze the past as recorded in sources
• collect scientific or technical data
• collect social or personal information
• compile bibliographies of specialized materials
• compile historical data by consulting sources
• compile information through interviews
• conduct field research or investigative studies
• decide how to store valuable historical documents
• develop or maintain databases
• develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• edit written material
• evaluate documents or manuscripts
• evaluate significance of historical data
• interpret charts or tables for social or economic research
• maintain awareness of social trends
• make presentations
• obtain information from individuals
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• provide expert testimony on research results
• recognize interrelationships among individuals or social groups
• reconstruct record of past human life
• record historical information
• research property records
• test historical authenticity of various materials
• translate written or spoken language
• understand second language
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use current social research
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of economic trends
• use knowledge of historical periods or events
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers