This chapter covers the use of the internet and practical tips to maximise the pros and minimise the cons.Remember that the internet is a research tool, not a research substitute, so it should only form part of your research. Most records are still in paper format or microform rather than digitised, so you will still have to go and look at them physically. Some records are digitised, but they may only be viewable on a subscription or pay-per-view basis.

One of the most common uses for the internet in local historian terms is to browse catalogues and indexes to help you find the paper/microform document you need to look at and where it’s located. If you are checking online databases, remember that the database is only as good as the keywords typed in; and there may be variant spellings, particularly with place names and personal names.