For our second blog assignment, we had to read “Digital Junctions” by Debra DeRuyver and Jennifer Evans. Their article talks about the various types of databases that contain primary sources and how approach them during research.

In the introduction to the article, DeRuyver and Evans ask us if the web will become “invisible.” Will it cease to be relevant while at its height? This is a similar question we had to face in one of our discussion posts. They briefly point out that scholars are “illiterate” in technology. I feel that at the time the article was written, that was very true. Scholars, especially historians, tend to stay in the comfort zone of physical materials. While I am not very different, I am much younger and have grown up in a different age. I have grown up with computers and learned how to use them at a young age. I believe my generation can bring the “literacy rate” (in technology) of scholars to an all-time high. One aspect we can/need to work on is how to better organize all the information that we are trying to save. Patricia Lemerick presented this issue in her presidential address to the American Studies Association. She notes that we have easier access to many materials; however, trying to sort through them, and the ever-changing technology, can get overwhelming.

The rest of the article presents us with how to start looking for primary sources and where to look. DeRuyver and Evans suggest starting with a librarian. They know exactly which databases, or print material, to look for. Next they suggest a search engine, which is not always the best idea. Search engines, such as Google, can be too broad. It would be better to check a database or site that would have primary sources.

Before briefing us on the types of primary sources there are, they tell us how to see if a site is reliable. They tell us to look for interpretation, primary sources, educational items, and promotion of community of interest. In the next step of my assignment, I will use these to help me determine if a database or site is useful to me in my research. After listing and briefly describing the different types of primary sources, they give us a list to links of digital resources.

The second part of my assignment is to find a database and see what sources are available. There are a few questions that Dr. Barske would like us to consider about the sites.

• What types of sources are available?
  
• Is it easy to use?
  
• What “other” information is available?
  
• What did you find?
  
• Can it help with your research?

The website I chose came straight out of the article. There was a paragraph that actually talked about the Salem Witch Trials. The website that they mentioned was etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/. I thought that would be a great place to start.

As I started reviewing the site, I noticed that it was very simple and that it was familiar. I believe I have used this site in prior research. It is a compilation of materials that was formed by a class at the University of Virginia, and it has not been updated since 2007 (as far as I know). However, I thought it would still be a good source of information.

1. What types of sources are available?
There are all types of sources on this site! There are documents and transcripts, maps, archival collections, books, and people. The documents appear to be a mix of machine-readable text and copies of original text. The maps are small, but you are able to view them in different sections. This allows you to view it larger and receive the full aspect of the map. The archival collections consists of links to different archives such as: the Boston Public Library, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Massachusetts Archives (which I will come back to later). The section on books contains information on books written by people of that time period such as Increase and Cotton Mather. Lastly, there is a section on the people involved in the trials. There are different categories from the people executed to the “afflicted” girls.

2. Is it easy to use?
This site is quite simple and easy to use. The homepage is a little difficult because most of the topics are color-coded, and the colors do not seem to match up all the time. However, the homepage does look similar to an essay outline. It seems the easiest way to navigate the site is by clicking a link on the homepage and then following the horizontal bar at the top that contains the topics.

3. What “other” information is available?
There is not much more information, since the site is about a specific topic, but there are a few other features. There is a link to a page that presents the mission of this project. There is a pages that tells about the class that produced this site. There is a page that lists historical works from people of that time period to more recent authors. A database search link is provided, but not accessible for some reason.

4. What did you find?
I feel that the answer to this question lies in the answer to question one. There is a tremendous amount of information on this site.

5. Can it help with my research?
I really believe that this site can. All of the information seems to be cited which would allow me to find the original source. Also, it provides help in figuring out how I might set up my website. There are plenty of resources on this site.

Just to make sure I was being thorough, I quickly searched the Massachusetts Archives (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/index.htm). However, I was very disappointed. I am aware that the Salem Witch Trials is not the only major event to ever happen in Salem or Massachusetts, but I assumed that I would be able to find more information than I did. I tried searching on my own and was unsuccessful. I went back to the first site and looked at what they had found in the archives. There were pictures of the original documents (illegible on a computer screen) and no physical links, but I now knew what to look for. Information for the Salem Witch Trials can be found in Volume 135, but not online. I suppose I will have to physically go to the archives if I want to view the documents.

For the first blog post, we had to read an article by Anne Lindsey, "#Virtual Tourist: Embracing our Audience through Public History Web Experience." It was a very helpful read. It helped me realize that we, as public historians, have to keep up with the times and embrace the change  of the physical experience to the virtual experience. Many people do not have the ability to travel to the various places that they would like to go, and this is where museum websites can come in handy; if done properly. 

Websites can be expensive to make, but that does not mean that an institution's site has to be lacking. Institutions need to be in-depth to help draw in people and make them want to visit in the future. An analogy that Lindsey used helped me understand some websites. She said that some websites are like pamphlets. They have all the basic information and brief examples of why you should visit, along with pictures and sometimes map directions. I like this analogy because not too long ago, my mother went out of state for a funeral, and along the way she picked up pamphlets of museums and tours that she thought I would be interested in. Websites that act like pamphlets can really pull people in, but sometimes that just is not enough.

Another part of the article talked about how public historians need to think like "outsiders." This made me realize that we have to realize the way people receive their information is changing. We need to take advantage of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, Instagram, etc. I liked how she also presented four questions for institutions to think about when they create their sites:
1. Is the website for basic information?
2. Is it a tool for advertising?
3. Is it to create positive customer relationships and loyalty to the brand?
4. Is it a forum where guests can engage in an educational experience?


Even though there are many advantages and upsides to embracing the move to digital life, there are always disadvantages. With public history, one of the main disadvantages always appears to be that the viewers cannot ask questions, they do not get the physical experience, and they do not always get all the information that is needed.


For the second part of this assignment we had to find three historical organizations and review their websites.

www.salemwitchmuseum.com

I chose the Salem Witch Museum because that is what my website will be about. It is absolutely one of my favorite topics, and I have always wanted to visit Salem.

When you first go to the home page, the background is a picture of the front of a building (which turned out to be the museum). It looks like it came out of that time period and it draws you in. There is a top bar with three topics: Salem Witch Museum, Salem Witch Trials, and Museum Store. Each of the topics has a drop-down menu that leads to various links. At the top of the website there is a picture of a map that you can click. I assumed it would give you directions to the museum, but it was even better! It was a map of Salem, with all the different places that you could go visit as a tourist, including the museum. To make the map even better, it had little pictures of bats, ghosts, pumpkins, and other supernatural characters. The hours of operation and the prices were easy to find, as well as events that will be taking place.

There were many different links to various topics. There was one that talked about the statue outside of the museum. There is a slight interactive tour. There are many that talk about the witch trials, and they tell you where you can find more information. There is also a blog that is kept by the museum. It is very extensive; covering many topics and having posts dated all the way back to July of 2010. I also discovered that that have links to Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

The only downsides that I found with this website, was that the contact information link did not work. However, the address and phone number was listed at the bottom of every page. They also have an online gift shop where you can buy souvenirs from home, but it is temporarily closed.

Overall, I found this site to be very helpful and educational! However, I guess I am a little biased.

Andersonville
www.nps.gov/andes/index.htm

This site is technically part of the National Park Service, therefore, it was very simple and neat. Everything on this site is easy to locate. I found the directions, hours of operation, and fees automatically. There are photos and multimedia presentations that are available for viewing. There are many topics to read about on this site, as well. The contact information was all available. There are links to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and iTunes. I'm not really sure why they need a link to iTunes, unless it is for a podcast about the parks.

Although, this website covers its information well, I feel like it needs more flair. Something to make it more appealing. However, since this is just one site of many on the NPS website, I can understand why they would make it as simple as possible.

Lizzie Borden House
www.lizzie-borden.com

This bed-and-breakfast/museum is on my list of places I would REALLY like to go. I was sure that I had viewed this website before, but it has changed and I'm not sure that it is for the better.

The home page is a little hard to follow. All the links are there, but it is kind of confusing. The main block on the home page (and every page as I discovered later) say my shopping cart is empty. The link to the gift shop is in the block right next to that, but it is still a little strange. The directions and contact information were easy to find, as well as room availability and how to reserve a room. After finding all of this, I realized that was the extent of access, unless you were part of the community.

To access all of the video tours, you have to become a member of the Lizzie Borden Community. It is free to register, so I did. I was then able to access the videos. They were a disappointment. The quality was very low and it was not very professional. There was also a section called Lost Lizzie TV. It has many videos about Lizzie Borden and the case against her. All appear to be low quality, as well.

As much as I want to visit the Lizzie Borden house, I do not feel that anyone would benefit from learning everything from this website. Oh, they do have a link to Facebook, so that is a plus.

I highly enjoyed the reading and research for this assignment. Hopefully, if anyone reads this they will find it helpful and resourceful.