WHERE DO I START ?
When first taking on an research project, the first two questions you will probably ask yourself are: • What do I want to research? • Where do I start? Sometimes inspiration comes from one object, a newspaper article, a story you heard from your grandmother, or a walk downtown. Find a topic that intrigues you, one that will keep your attention and keep you motivated throughout the process. Start by asking basic questions. Think about what you already know and what you do not. By asking new questions as you answer previous ones, you can eventually focus your topic into a very interesting and detailed project. Keep your eyes and ears open to all the possibilities! Start your research with a series of who, what, where, when, why, and how questions. Make a list of your questions. These will keep you on track, help clarify your topic, and expand your ideas along the way. Below are only a handful of possible questions to ask about your surroundings and to inspire your research.
• How did some of your town streets get their names?
	• Did the names change over time, and if so, why?
• When was a prominent building in your town constructed?
	• Who built it and what types of businesses have been in it over the years?
• When was the house you live in built? • Why was your town settled?
	• Was it because of a particular kind of industry or agricultural product?
• Who were the different people that settled in your town?
	• From where in the country did they migrate? • What other countries did they come from? • How did different ethnic groups contribute to your town?
• Did your community suffer any kind of health epidemic?
	• If so, when, what was it, and how did the community manage to overcome it?
• What can you find out about your town history from early tombstones?
• Were there any crimes, controversies, or other dramatic and highly publicized events?
	• When did they happen, what happened, who was involved?
• Does your town have any annual customs or festivals?
	• From where do the festivals originate?
• Was your town directly affected by the Revolutionary War, Civil War, or both?
	• If so, how? • What can you find out about those from your town who served?
• What can you find out about a local historical monument?
	• When and why was it erected, and what person or group is it dedicated to? • Was there a specific motivation by one group for the commemoration?
• How did the railroad, or other methods of transportation, affect the growth of your community?
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